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.
実行委員会が会議を開いた。
The executive committee held a meeting.
彼女は組織委員会のメンバーです。
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).
彼は実行委員に選ばれた。
He was chosen as a committee member.
委員の皆さん、お集まりください。
Committee members, please gather.
Used for councils, conferences, or consultative committees, often with a focus on discussion and deliberation.
地域協議会で問題を話し合った。
We discussed the issue at the community council.
A deliberative council or advisory committee, often governmental or institutional, focusing on review and decision-making.
教育審議会が新しい方針を答申した。
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).
彼は委員として活動している。
He is active as a committee member.
新しい委員を募集しています。
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.
委員会メンバーに加わってくれませんか？
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.
常任委員会で予算案を審議した。
The standing committee deliberated on the budget proposal.
A specialized committee or expert committee, often formed for a specific technical or professional purpose.
専門委員会が技術的な助言を行った。
The expert committee provided technical advice.
A committee formed for a specific, limited purpose and then dissolved.
An ad hoc or temporary committee. 臨時 means 'temporary' or 'extraordinary'.
臨時委員会を設置して問題に対処した。
We set up an ad hoc committee to deal with the issue.
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.
特別委員会が不正を調査している。
The special committee is investigating the misconduct.
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).
明日、委員会があります。
There is a committee meeting tomorrow.
Explicitly means 'committee meeting' or 'committee conference'. More formal and less common than simply 委員会.
委員会議の日程を調整してください。
Please coordinate the schedule for the committee meeting.
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.
町内会の協議会で防災について話し合った。
We discussed disaster prevention at the neighborhood council.
中央教育審議会が学習指導要領の改訂を答申した。
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.
彼女は選挙管理委員です。
She is an election committee member.