采配(さいはい)

さいはい
noun
command; direction; leadership; calling the shots
businessaction
1. command; direction; leadership; calling the shots
The act of directing, managing, or making decisions for a group or project. Originally referred to a commander's baton used in battle.
采配(さいはい)を振(ふ)るう。
Take command; call the shots.
監督(かんとく)の采配(さいはい)がチームを勝利(しょうり)に導(みちび)いた。
The manager's leadership led the team to victory.
このプロジェクトは彼(かれ)が采配(さいはい)を振(ふ)っている。
He's calling the shots on this project.

Etymology

采配(さいはい) originally referred to a commander's baton made of paper strips, used to signal troops in battle. The word now means leadership or command itself.

Usage

Commonly used in:

  • Sports (manager's decisions)
  • Business (project leadership)
  • Politics (party leadership)

Key expression

  • 采配(さいはい)を振(ふ)るう - to take command, to direct, to call the shots

This is the most common collocation and means to actively lead or make decisions.

Related Words

Related: 裁量(さいりょう) (discretion)
general
Added 2026.1.21 10:02 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
07500/07769_saihai