使節(しせつ)

しせつ
noun
envoy, delegate, diplomatic mission
1. envoy, delegate, emissary
A person or group sent on a diplomatic or official mission to represent their country or organization. Also refers to the mission itself.
使節(しせつ)を派遣(はけん)する。
Dispatch an envoy.
外交(がいこう)使節(しせつ)が来日(らいにち)した。
A diplomatic envoy visited Japan.
遣唐使(けんとうし)は日本(にほん)から中国(ちゅうごく)へ送(おく)られた使節(しせつ)だった。
The kentoshi were envoys sent from Japan to China.

A formal, somewhat literary term often encountered in history and diplomatic contexts. Different from the homophone 施設(しせつ) (facility).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 外交(がいこう)使節(しせつ) (diplomatic envoy)
  • 使節(しせつ)団(だん) (delegation, diplomatic mission group)
  • 特使(とくし) / 特別(とくべつ)使節(しせつ) (special envoy)
  • 使節(しせつ)を派遣(はけん)する (send an envoy)
  • 使節(しせつ)を迎(むか)える (receive an envoy)

HISTORICAL USAGE:
Often seen in Japanese history: 遣唐使(けんとうし) (envoys to Tang China), 遣隋使(けんずいし) (envoys to Sui China), 天正遣欧使節(てんしょうけんおうしせつ) (Tensho embassy to Europe).

Related Words

Homophone: 施設(しせつ)
general
Added 2026.2.18 5:28
11500/11694_shisetsu