主しゅ席せき

noun

head; chief; chairman; president

General term for the top person in an organization, committee, or government. 主席 is the standard kanji for this meaning, especially for political leaders (e.g., Chinese President).

• 彼かれは党とうの主しゅ席せきに選えらばれた。

  He was elected chairman of the party.

• 中ちゅう国ごくの国こっ家か主しゅ席せきが来らい日にちした。

  The President of China visited Japan.

noun

top seat; first desk (in orchestra)

Refers to the principal seat in an orchestra section (e.g., first violin) or the highest-ranking position in a seating order. Can be used with either kanji form, but 主席 is more common for this sense.

• 彼かの女じょはオーケストラの主しゅ席せきバイオリニストだ。

  She is the first violinist (concertmaster) of the orchestra.

noun

top student; head of the class

Only when written 首席

Specifically refers to the highest-ranking student in a class or school. Written as 首席.

• 彼かれは首しゅ席せきで大だい学がくを卒そつ業ぎょうした。

  He graduated at the top of his class from university.