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shogun: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C1
UK/ˈʃəʊɡʌn/US/ˈʃoʊɡən/

formal, historical, journalistic, financial

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Quick answer

What does “shogun” mean?

A hereditary military dictator in Japan from the 12th to the 19th century.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A hereditary military dictator in Japan from the 12th to the 19th century.

Any powerful leader or commander with absolute authority, often used metaphorically. In finance, refers to a 'shogun bond', a bond issued in Japan by a non-Japanese entity.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in meaning or usage.

Connotations

Both varieties share the same historical and metaphorical connotations.

Frequency

Equally low frequency in both varieties, primarily encountered in historical, political, or financial contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “shogun” in a Sentence

[the/possessive] + shogun + of + [place/period][determiner] + shogun + [verb]

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
Tokugawa shogunthe last shogunshogunate (noun)military shogun
medium
power of the shogunrule of the shogunera of the shogun
weak
great shogunformer shogunJapanese shogun

Examples

Examples of “shogun” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

  • The shogunal era was marked by strict social hierarchy.
  • Shogunate politics were complex.

American English

  • The shogun era was marked by strict social hierarchy.
  • Shogunate politics were complex.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Metaphor for a supremely powerful CEO or industry leader. 'He was the shogun of the automotive sector.'

Academic

Used in historical, political science, or East Asian studies contexts to discuss the feudal Japanese system.

Everyday

Rare. Might be used for dramatic effect to describe a strict parent or boss.

Technical

In finance, 'shogun bond' is a specific term for a yen-denominated bond issued in Japan by a non-resident.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “shogun”

Neutral

military rulerwarlordcommander-in-chief

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “shogun”

figureheadpuppetsubordinate

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “shogun”

  • Incorrect plural: 'shoguns' is correct, not 'shogun'. Mispronunciation: /ˈʃɒɡən/ or /ˈʃoʊɡʊn/. Confusing 'shogun' with 'emperor' (the shogun held military power, the emperor was a ceremonial figure).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The Japanese emperor was the nominal, ceremonial head of state and a religious figure. The shogun was the military dictator who held actual political and military power, ruling in the emperor's name.

No. The title was abolished during the Meiji Restoration in 1868. It is now only a historical term.

No, 'shogun' is solely a noun. The related adjective is 'shogunal' and the system is called a 'shogunate'.

It is a financial term for a yen-denominated bond issued in Japan by a non-Japanese entity, such as a foreign government or corporation.

A hereditary military dictator in Japan from the 12th to the 19th century.

Shogun is usually formal, historical, journalistic, financial in register.

Shogun: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃəʊɡʌn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃoʊɡən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “corporate shogun”
  • “a shogun of industry”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a SHOE GUN. The dictator (shogun) has such power he could make you 'eat your shoe' or 'face the gun'.

Conceptual Metaphor

POWER IS A MILITARY COMMANDER; CONTROL IS PHYSICAL DOMINATION.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
After his decisive victory, the warlord was appointed and ruled for the next two decades.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary modern, metaphorical use of 'shogun'?

shogun: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore