司会（しかい、shikai）
- moderator

The Japanese word 司会 (shikai) primarily means "moderator," "host," or "MC" (Master of Ceremonies). It refers to the person who leads or facilitates an event, meeting, program, or ceremony. This individual is responsible for introducing speakers, keeping the event on schedule, guiding the flow of the event, and generally ensuring that everything runs smoothly. The role often involves speaking to the audience, managing transitions, and summarizing key points. The function of 司会 can sometimes extend to include entertainment or information.

⚫︎結婚式の司会を務める。 Translation: To act as the MC for a wedding. ⚫︎会議の司会は田中さんです。 Translation: Mr. Tanaka is the moderator for the meeting. ⚫︎テレビ番組の司会者。 Translation: The host of a television program.

This word is used in a variety of contexts, including weddings, conferences, meetings, television shows, radio programs, and other public or private events where someone needs to lead or oversee the proceedings. The term is applicable in formal and informal situations. You would use 司会 to describe the person fulfilling that role, or to refer to the role itself. The verb commonly used with 司会 is 務める (tsutomeru, to serve as, to act as).

司会 is typically written in kanji. The reading is しかい (shikai) in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana (hiragana suffixes) are standard and do not vary. The word is usually written in kanji without any significant variations. The term is sometimes used on a sign to indicate the "司会 desk" or the area where the 司会 is located.

⚫︎MC (エムシー) - This is a direct borrowing from English and is commonly used, especially in informal contexts. ⚫︎進行役 (shinkōyaku) - This means "person in charge of proceedings" or "facilitator." ⚫︎ホスト (hosuto) - This is a loanword from English "host". ⚫︎まとめ役 (matome yaku) - This means "summary role" or "coordinator."

There aren't direct antonyms for 司会. However, words that describe participants or audience members could be considered indirect antonyms. For example: ⚫︎参加者 (sankasha) - Participants ⚫︎聴衆 (chūshū) - Audience

彼はそのイベントの司会として選ばれた。 ・Translation: He was chosen to be the MC for that event. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates the selection of someone for the 司会 role.

今日の司会はとても話が上手だね！ ・Translation: The host today is a very good speaker! ・Explanation: This example shows someone giving praise to the [司会] for their speaking skills.

The word 司会 is composed of two kanji: 司 (shi), which means "to manage," "to control," or "to administer," and 会 (kai), which means "meeting," "gathering," or "assembly." Therefore, 司会 literally means "to manage" or "to administer a meeting/gathering," perfectly capturing its meaning as a host or moderator.