司 means “administer, official”

し · shi

Also: director, govt office, rule

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

つかさどる

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

シ

JLPT N1 · Taught in grade 4 · 5 strokes

The story

A mouth (口) tucked under a hooked frame: picture an official issuing orders from behind his desk. 司 is being in charge: 上司 is your boss, 司会 the host who runs the show, and 寿司 borrows 司 just for its sound.

Used in 上司 (joushi, boss), 司会 (shikai, MC/host), and 寿司 (sushi, sushi)

More from Plans & Leadership

• 執 grasp
• 措 measure
• 揮 wield
• 操 operate
• 託 entrust
• 宰 preside
• 轄 control
• 摂 take in
• 吏 official
• 統 unify
• 案 plan
• 策 policy

Learn 司 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.