Translation guide
The English word 'committee' refers to a group of people appointed for a specific function. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 委員会 (iinkai), but other terms like 委員 (iin) for members, 協議会 (kyōgikai) for councils, and 審議会 (shingikai) for deliberative bodies are used depending on context. This guide helps learners choose the right term and use it naturally.
Referring to a committee as an organized body, such as an executive committee, steering committee, or event committee.
The standard term for 'committee' in most contexts. It can be used for both permanent and temporary committees.
The executive committee held a meeting.
She is a member of the organizing committee.
Refers to a committee member or the committee as a collective of members. Often used in compound words like 実行委員 (executive committee member).
He was chosen as a committee member.
Committee members, please gather.
Used for councils, conferences, or consultative committees, often with a focus on discussion and deliberation.
We discussed the issue at the community council.
A deliberative council or advisory committee, often governmental or institutional, focusing on review and decision-making.
The education council submitted a report on the new policy.
Referring to a person who serves on a committee.
The standard term for a committee member. Can be used with modifiers like 実行委員 (executive committee member) or 組織委員 (organizing committee member).
He is active as a committee member.
We are recruiting new committee members.
A more casual or modern way to say 'committee member', using the loanword メンバー. Common in business or informal settings.
Would you like to join the committee members?
A permanent committee within an organization, such as a budget committee or disciplinary committee.
Specifically refers to a standing or permanent committee. Often used in governmental, corporate, or academic contexts.
The standing committee deliberated on the budget proposal.
A specialized committee or expert committee, often formed for a specific technical or professional purpose.
A committee formed for a specific, limited purpose and then dissolved.
Referring to the gathering or meeting of a committee.
Can also mean 'committee meeting' when context implies a session. Often used with verbs like 開く (to hold) or 出席する (to attend).
There is a committee meeting tomorrow.
Explicitly means 'committee meeting' or 'committee conference'. More formal and less common than simply 委員会.
委員会 (iinkai) is the general term for 'committee'. 協議会 (kyōgikai) implies a council or conference with a focus on discussion and consensus-building. 審議会 (shingikai) is a deliberative council, often governmental, that reviews and makes recommendations. Use 委員会 for most everyday committees; use 協議会 for community or advisory councils; use 審議会 for formal governmental or institutional review boards.
We discussed disaster prevention at the neighborhood council.
The Central Council for Education submitted a report on the revision of the curriculum guidelines.
When referring to an individual committee member, use 委員 (iin). To specify the type of committee, add a prefix, e.g., 実行委員 (jikkō iin) for executive committee member, 組織委員 (soshiki iin) for organizing committee member. Avoid using 委員会 to refer to a person; it means the committee as a whole.
She is an election committee member.
The expert committee provided technical advice.
A special committee, often formed for a particular investigation or project. Similar to ad hoc but can imply a more significant or high-profile purpose.
The special committee is investigating the misconduct.
Please coordinate the schedule for the committee meeting.