使者(ししゃ)

ししゃ
noun
messenger; envoy; emissary
1. messenger; envoy; emissary
A person sent to deliver a message, carry out a mission, or represent someone. Used in historical, literary, and formal modern contexts.
王(おう)は使者(ししゃ)を送(おく)った。
The king sent a messenger.
使者(ししゃ)が和平(わへい)の条件(じょうけん)を伝(つた)えた。
The envoy conveyed the conditions for peace.
春(はる)の訪(おとず)れを告(つ)げる使者(ししゃ)のように、梅(うめ)の花(はな)が咲(さ)いた。
The plum blossoms bloomed, like messengers heralding the arrival of spring.

Compound of 使(し) (to send on a mission) + 者(しゃ) (person). Commonly appears in historical narratives, fantasy, and literary writing. Also used figuratively for things that herald or signal something.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 使者(ししゃ)を送(おく)る: to send a messenger
  • 使者(ししゃ)を遣(つか)わす: to dispatch an envoy (literary)
  • 使者(ししゃ)が来(く)る: a messenger comes
  • 春(はる)の使者(ししゃ): herald of spring
  • 死(し)の使者(ししゃ): messenger of death

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 特使(とくし): special envoy — specifically appointed for a particular mission
  • 大使(たいし): ambassador — a permanent diplomatic representative
  • メッセンジャー: messenger — the loanword, used in modern/casual contexts

NOTE ON HOMOPHONES:
使者(ししゃ) (messenger) is distinct from 死者(ししゃ) (deceased person). The kanji make the difference clear in writing.

general
Added 2026.4.3 0:22
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