公使(こうし)

こうし
noun
minister (diplomatic rank)
formallegalperson
1. minister; envoy (diplomatic rank below ambassador)
A diplomatic representative of a country, ranking below an ambassador. Historically the chief representative sent to countries with which full ambassadorial relations had not been established.
公使(こうし)が会談(かいだん)に出席(しゅっせき)した。
The minister attended the meeting.
特命(とくめい)全権(ぜんけん)公使(こうし)として派遣(はけん)された。
He was dispatched as minister plenipotentiary.
明治(めいじ)時代(じだい)には多(おお)くの国(くに)に公使(こうし)が派遣(はけん)され、外交(がいこう)関係(かんけい)が築(きず)かれた。
During the Meiji era, ministers were dispatched to many countries and diplomatic relations were established.

Composed of 公(こう) (public, official) and 使(し) (envoy, messenger).

In modern diplomacy, most countries exchange ambassadors (大使(たいし)) rather than ministers. The rank of 公使(こうし) is now less common but still exists in some diplomatic contexts and appears frequently in historical texts about the Meiji and Taisho periods.

Common collocations

  • 特命(とくめい)全権(ぜんけん)公使(こうし) (minister plenipotentiary)
  • 公使(こうし)を派遣(はけん)する (to dispatch a minister)
  • 公使(こうし)館(かん) (legation)

Similar words

Related Words

Related: 大使(たいし) (ambassador (higher rank))
Related: 領事(りょうじ) (consul)
Compare: 特使(とくし) (special envoy)
Compare: 特命全権大使(とくめいぜんけんたいし) (ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary)
general
Added 2026.3.7 20:21 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
15500/15564_koushi