首席(しゅせき)

しゅせき
noun
top rank; head; valedictorian
formaleducationsociety
1. top rank; first place; head of a class or group
The highest-ranking position in an academic class, examination, or organizational hierarchy.
首席(しゅせき)で卒業(そつぎょう)した。
I graduated at the top of my class.
試験(しけん)で首席(しゅせき)を取(と)るのが目標(もくひょう)だ。
My goal is to rank first on the exam.
彼女(かのじょ)は音楽大学(おんがくだいがく)を首席(しゅせき)で卒業(そつぎょう)し、海外(かいがい)の有名(ゆうめい)なオーケストラに入(はい)った。
She graduated top of her class from music college and joined a famous orchestra abroad.
2. chief; head (of a diplomatic mission or organization)
The leading member of a group, especially in diplomatic or governmental contexts.
首席(しゅせき)代表(だいひょう)が会議(かいぎ)に出席(しゅっせき)した。
The chief representative attended the meeting.
首席(しゅせき)交渉官(こうしょうかん)が声明(せいめい)を発表(はっぴょう)した。
The chief negotiator issued a statement.
大使館(たいしかん)の首席(しゅせき)公使(こうし)が代理(だいり)として式典(しきてん)に参加(さんか)した。
The minister-counselor attended the ceremony as a representative of the embassy.

Composed of 首(しゅ) (head, chief) + 席(せき) (seat, position). The word carries a strong connotation of being the best or highest-ranking. In academic contexts it means graduating at the very top; in organizational contexts it means the chief or leading member.

Common collocations

  • 首席(しゅせき)で卒業(そつぎょう)する: to graduate at the top of the class
  • 首席(しゅせき)合格者(ごうかくしゃ): top-scoring passer
  • 首席(しゅせき)代表(だいひょう): chief representative
  • 首席(しゅせき)交渉官(こうしょうかん): chief negotiator

Similar words

  • 主席(しゅせき): chairman, president — a homophone with different kanji; refers to the leader of an organization or state
  • 次席(じせき): second place, runner-up — the position just below 首席(しゅせき)
  • トップ: top — a loanword used more casually for first place

Related Words

Compare: トップ (top)
general
Added 2026.4.5 11:21 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
22000/22104_shuseki