指名（しめい、shimei）
- nomination

The Japanese word 指名 (しめい, shimei) primarily means "nomination," "designation," "appointment," or "specifying" someone or something. It implies selecting or choosing a person, place, or thing for a particular role, task, or purpose. It can also refer to calling out someone’s name, especially in a professional setting like a restaurant or a school. The concept involves choosing, designating, or naming something or someone specifically.

⚫︎ 社長は新しいプロジェクトのリーダーを指名しました。 Translation: The president nominated the leader for the new project. ⚫︎ お客様はウェイターを指名して、注文をしました。 Translation: The customer called for a waiter and ordered. ⚫︎ 彼は次期首相に指名された。 Translation: He was nominated as the next prime minister.

⚫︎ 指名 is used in various contexts, including: ⚫︎ Politics: nominating candidates for elections or appointments. ⚫︎ Business: designating someone for a specific role or project. ⚫︎ Everyday life: when calling for a service at a restaurant or asking for a specific person. ⚫︎ Sports: selecting players for a team or competition. ⚫︎ The context usually clarifies what is being designated or nominated.

⚫︎ 指名 is written using the kanji 指 (shi, meaning "finger" or "point") and 名 (mei, meaning "name" or "reputation"). ⚫︎ The reading is しめい (shimei) in hiragana. ⚫︎ There are no common variations in okurigana for this word.

⚫︎ 任命（にんめい, ninmei): appointment, designation ⚫︎ 選出（せんしゅつ, senshutsu): selection, election ⚫︎ 指定（してい, shitei): designation, specification ⚫︎ 選ぶ（えらぶ, erabu): to choose, to select

⚫︎ There isn't a direct antonym for 指名 that encompasses all its meanings. However, related concepts to "not being selected" can be considered as antonyms. ⚫︎ 落選（らくせん, rakusen): losing an election, being defeated ⚫︎ 解任（かいにん, kainin): dismissal, removal from office

彼はチームのキャプテンに指名されました。 ・Translation: He was appointed as the team captain. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates the use of 指名 to indicate the selection of a person for a leadership role.

お客様は、お気に入りの美容師を指名できます。 ・Translation: Customers can specify their favorite hairstylist. ・Explanation: This sentence shows the use of 指名 for choosing or specifying a person for service.

The word 指名 is composed of two kanji: 指 (shi), which originally related to pointing or indicating, and 名 (mei), which refers to a name or a title. The combination implies indicating or designating by name. The etymology reflects the act of naming or selecting someone or something specifically.