house of councilors: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2formal, academic, political, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “house of councilors” mean?
The upper house of the legislature in certain countries, particularly Japan, where it acts as a deliberative and revising chamber.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The upper house of the legislature in certain countries, particularly Japan, where it acts as a deliberative and revising chamber.
A political term for a deliberative legislative assembly, typically the less powerful upper house in a bicameral system, often representing broader regional interests or acting as a body of review.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical difference. The concept is foreign to both systems, but British English might use "House of Lords" as a familiar, though not equivalent, upper house concept. American English is more likely to use "Senate" as a default reference for an upper house.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries strong connotations of foreign (especially Japanese) politics. It lacks the historical and cultural connotations that terms like 'Senate' or 'House of Lords' carry in their respective contexts.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general discourse. Usage is almost exclusively confined to texts about Japanese politics or comparative government.
Grammar
How to Use “house of councilors” in a Sentence
The House of Councilors + verb (e.g., approves, rejects, deliberates)a bill before the House of Councilorselection to the House of CouncilorsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “house of councilors” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bill was house-of-councilored for several months before being sent back.
American English
- The legislation was House of Councilor-reviewed extensively.
adjective
British English
- The House-of-Councilors election is held every three years.
American English
- The House of Councilors review process is slower than the lower house's.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in risk reports on Japanese regulatory changes.
Academic
Primary context. Used in political science, comparative politics, and Asian studies.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Only in discussions of specific Japanese political news.
Technical
Used precisely in legal and political documents describing the structure of the Japanese government.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “house of councilors”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “house of councilors”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “house of councilors”
- Misspelling as 'counselors' (which refers to advisors/therapists).
- Using it as a general term for any advisory board.
- Confusing it with the more powerful House of Representatives in Japan.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are both types of upper houses, but 'Senate' is a specific term used in countries like the US, France, and Australia. 'House of Councilors' is the official name for Japan's upper house.
The House of Representatives (lower house) is more powerful. It has priority on budget bills and can override House of Councilors vetoes on treaties and most legislation with a two-thirds vote.
Members are elected through a mixed system: some through proportional representation on a national party list, and others from prefectural constituencies.
No. It is primarily the proper name for Japan's upper house. Using it generically is uncommon; 'upper house', 'second chamber', or 'senate' (where applicable) are preferred general terms.
The upper house of the legislature in certain countries, particularly Japan, where it acts as a deliberative and revising chamber.
House of councilors is usually formal, academic, political, journalistic in register.
House of councilors: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaʊs əv ˈkaʊns(ə)ləz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaʊs əv ˈkaʊnsələrz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the other place (parliamentary jargon, but not typically for this specific house)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COUNCIlors give COUNsel. The House of Councilors is the chamber that advises and reviews laws.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNMENT IS A BUILDING (with different chambers); REVIEW IS SCRUTINY.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a house of councilors in a system like Japan's?