Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

使臣 (ししん, shishin) Japanese meaning: envoy | Kotomora

使し臣しん

し

し

ん

Meanings

1

envoy; diplomatic messenger

A formal term for a person sent on a diplomatic mission, often used in historical or official contexts.

国こく王おうは隣りん国ごくに使し臣しんを派は遣けんした。
The king dispatched an envoy to the neighboring country.

Kanji

使use, send on a mission, order
臣retainer, subject

Related words

使し者しゃ
使者 is a more common and general term for a messenger or envoy, while 使臣 is more formal and often implies a diplomatic mission.

Etymology

Compound of 使 (shi, 'use, send on a mission') and 臣 (shin, 'retainer, subject'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning of an envoy.