This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B2 na-adjective #3,500 most common 7 min read

支配的

shihaiteki Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 支配的 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 支配的 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '支配的' (shihaiteki) in your own speaking yet, but it's good to recognize that it means 'very strong' or 'like a boss.' Imagine a person who always says 'Do this!' and 'Do that!' That person is being 支配的. In Japanese, we use the word '強い' (tsuyoi) for 'strong' most of the time. But 支配的 is special because it's not just about being strong; it's about wanting to control other people. If you see this word, think of a king or a big leader. The first part 'shihai' means 'control.' The last part 'teki' makes it an adjective. It's a word you might see in a simple story about a mean boss or a powerful animal in the jungle. For now, just remember: 支配的 = controlling/bossy.

At the A2 level, you can start to understand that 支配的 (shihaiteki) is used to describe people who are very bossy or situations where one thing is much more powerful than others. It is a 'na-adjective,' so you say '支配的な人' (a dominant person). You might hear this in a basic conversation about a strict teacher or a very big company like Google or Amazon. It's a bit more formal than saying '威張っている' (ibatte iru), which also means bossy. When you use 支配的, it sounds like you are being more serious or descriptive. Remember the structure: [Person] は支配的です (Person is dominant). This word helps you talk about power in a simple way.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 支配的 (shihaiteki) to describe social situations and business trends. This is where the word becomes really useful. You can use it to describe a 'dominant market share' (支配的な市場シェア) or a 'dominant opinion' (支配的な意見). It moves beyond just being 'bossy' and starts to describe how ideas or companies influence the world. For example, if everyone in a room thinks the same way, you can say 'その意見が支配的だった' (That opinion was dominant). It's a great word for expressing that one thing has taken over the atmosphere or the market. You should also notice the nuance: it's often used in news reports and documentaries.

At the B2 level, 支配的 (shihaiteki) is a key vocabulary word for discussing complex topics like psychology, sociology, and economics. You should understand the nuance between 'dominant' (neutral/business) and 'controlling' (negative/personal). At this level, you can use it to explain relationship dynamics, such as '支配的な関係' (a controlling relationship), or to analyze historical periods where certain ideologies were '支配的' (prevailing). You should also be comfortable using the adverbial form '支配的に' to describe actions. For instance, '支配的に振る舞う' (to behave dominantly). This word allows you to discuss power structures and influence with precision, which is essential for B2 level essays and discussions.

At the C1 level, you are expected to understand the abstract and academic applications of 支配的 (shihaiteki). This includes concepts like 'cultural hegemony' or 'prevailing paradigms' in science. You should be able to identify when the word is used to critique power structures in literature or social commentary. At this level, you can contrast 支配的 with terms like '主導的' (leading) or '権威的' (authoritative) to show a deep grasp of Japanese synonyms. You might use it in a sentence like: 'ある特定の言説が社会において支配的な地位を占めるプロセス' (The process by which a specific discourse occupies a dominant position in society). It becomes a tool for sophisticated socio-political analysis.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 支配的 (shihaiteki) should be native-like, allowing you to use it in philosophical or highly technical contexts. You can discuss the 'dominant genes' (though 優先 is more common in bio, 支配的 can appear in metaphorical biological contexts) or the 'dominant narrative' of a nation's history. You understand the subtle emotional weight the word carries in different registers—how it can sound clinical in a psychological report but accusatory in a political debate. You can use it to describe subtle shifts in the 'Zeitgeist' or the atmospheric dominance of a particular aesthetic in art. Your usage is nuanced, recognizing that 支配的 often implies a lack of balance or a suppression of alternatives.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

支配的 in 30 Seconds

A na-adjective meaning dominant or controlling in power dynamics.
Commonly used for personalities, market positions, and social ideologies.
Carries a negative nuance for people but neutral/positive for business.
Essential for JLPT N1/N2 and academic Japanese proficiency.

The Japanese word 支配的 (しはいてき - shihaiteki) is a versatile na-adjective that translates to 'dominant,' 'controlling,' or 'prevailing.' At its core, it describes a state where one entity, person, or idea holds significant power or influence over others, often to the point of exclusion or total management. The term is composed of the noun 支配 (shihai), meaning 'control' or 'rule,' and the suffix 的 (teki), which transforms the noun into an adjective meaning '-like' or '-al.' Understanding this word requires looking at three primary spheres of use: interpersonal relationships, business or economics, and societal ideologies.

Interpersonal Context: In personal relationships, being 支配的 often carries a negative connotation. It describes a person who is 'bossy' or 'controlling.' If someone is referred to as having a 支配的な性格 (shihaiteki na seikaku - dominant personality), it suggests they like to make all the decisions and expect others to follow without question. This can apply to parents, partners, or managers who micro-manage or exert psychological pressure to maintain authority.

彼はチームの中で非常に支配的な役割を果たしている。(He plays a very dominant role within the team.)

Business and Market Context: In the corporate world, this word is used more objectively to describe market share or industry standing. A company with a 支配的な立場 (shihaiteki na tachiba - dominant position) is one that competitors struggle to challenge. It implies that their products, pricing, or technology set the standard for the entire industry. Here, the word is less about 'personality' and more about 'structural power.'

その企業は市場で支配的なシェアを誇っている。(That company boasts a dominant share of the market.)

Societal and Ideological Context: In academic or journalistic writing, 支配的 refers to the 'prevailing' or 'mainstream' thoughts of a time. For example, a 支配的な考え方 (shihaiteki na kangaekata - dominant way of thinking) refers to the status quo or the cultural hegemony that shapes how people view the world. It describes the ideas that are so common they are rarely questioned by the general public.

当時の社会では、その宗教が支配的だった。(At that time, that religion was dominant in society.)

彼女の態度は少し支配的すぎる。(Her attitude is a bit too controlling.)

科学的な見解が支配的になった。(Scientific views became dominant.)

Using 支配的 correctly involves understanding its grammatical placement and the nuances of the nouns it modifies. As a na-adjective, it is highly structured. In this section, we will look at how to construct sentences that range from describing a person's demeanor to analyzing economic trends. The word is rarely used in casual, everyday 'slang' but is frequent in news, documentaries, and professional feedback.

Modifying Nouns (Noun + な + 支配的): When you want to describe a specific thing as dominant, you use the pattern: [Noun] + な + [Noun]. Common pairings include 支配的な立場 (dominant position), 支配的な影響 (dominant influence), and 支配的な役割 (dominant role). This construction helps pinpoint exactly where the power lies.

彼は家庭内で支配的な振る舞いをする。(He behaves in a dominant manner within the household.)

Predicate Usage (Subject + は + 支配的だ): To state that something *is* dominant, use the subject-marker は (wa) or が (ga) followed by 支配的 and a copula (だ, です, である). This is useful for making conclusions or summarizing a situation. For example, 'The mood was dominant' or 'The opinion was dominant.'

会議では反対意見が支配的だった。(Opposing opinions were dominant at the meeting.)

その思想は、18世紀のヨーロッパで支配的な地位を占めていた。(That ideology occupied a dominant position in 18th-century Europe.)

Comparative and Superlative Nuances: While 支配的 itself implies a high degree of power, you can modify it with adverbs like 最も (motto-mo - most) or 非常に (hijou ni - extremely) to emphasize the extent of the dominance. This is common in academic papers comparing different theories or market forces.

現在、最も支配的な理論はこれだ。(Currently, the most dominant theory is this one.)

彼の意見が場を支配的にしていた。(His opinion was making the place [the atmosphere] dominant/controlled.)

If you are watching Japanese news (NHK), reading a business journal (Nikkei), or studying psychology in Japanese, you will encounter 支配的 frequently. It is a 'high-level' word, meaning it is more common in professional, academic, and literary contexts than in a casual conversation at a bar. However, it does surface in daily life when discussing relationship dynamics or strong personalities.

The News and Politics: Political commentators use 支配的 to describe a party's hold on government or a country's influence over a region. For example, 'A dominant political party' (支配的な政党). It suggests that there is little room for opposition.

与党が議会で支配的な勢力を持っている。(The ruling party has a dominant force in the parliament.)

Business Reports: In quarterly reports, you might read about a company's 'dominant market share.' This is usually phrased as 支配的な市場シェア. It is a neutral or positive term in this context, signifying success and strength.

そのOSは世界のPC市場で支配的だ。(That OS is dominant in the global PC market.)

Psychology and Self-Help: In discussions about 'Toxic Masculinity' or 'Controlling Parents,' 支配的 is the go-to word. You will hear it in podcasts or read it in advice columns when someone describes a partner who monitors their every move or a boss who doesn't allow any autonomy.

彼は支配的な親に育てられた。(He was raised by controlling parents.)

市場の支配的な地位を利用する。(Exploiting a dominant position in the market.)

悲観的なムードが支配的になった。(A pessimistic mood became dominant.)

While 支配的 is a powerful word, it is easy to misuse if you don't understand its specific weight. Learners often confuse it with simpler words like 'strong' (強い) or 'popular' (人気がある). Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid when using 支配的 in your Japanese studies.

Mistake 1: Overusing it for 'Strong': If a coffee is strong, you say '強い' (tsuyoi). If a person is physically strong, you say '強い'. You should never use 支配的 for physical strength. 支配的 implies control and influence, not physical force or intensity of flavor.

❌ このコーヒーは支配的だ。(This coffee is dominant - sounds like the coffee is ruling your life.)

Mistake 2: Confusing it with 'Popular' (人気): A 'dominant' idea is not always 'popular.' It might be dominant because people are forced to follow it, or because it is the only option. Popularity implies people like it; dominance implies people follow it. Don't use 支配的 for a popular singer unless they literally control the entire music industry's infrastructure.

❌ 彼はクラスで一番支配的な生徒だ。(He is the most dominant student - implies he is a bully or a dictator, not that he is well-liked.)

Mistake 3: Forgetting the 'Na': Because 支配 (shihai) is a noun, learners often forget to add 'な' when describing a noun. '支配影響' is incorrect; it must be '支配的な影響'.

✅ 支配的な立場 (A dominant position).

❌ 支配立場 (Incorrect grammar).

Japanese has several words that overlap with 支配的. Choosing the right one depends on whether you want to emphasize power, quantity, or authority. Below is a comparison to help you choose the most natural word for your context.

支配的 vs. 圧倒的 (Attouteki): 圧倒的 means 'overwhelming.' Use this when the difference in power or number is massive. While 支配的 means you 'control' the situation, 圧倒的 means you 'crush' the competition. A sports team winning 10-0 is 圧倒的, but a coach who controls every aspect of the players' lives is 支配的.

支配的 vs. 権威的 (Ken-iteki): 権威的 means 'authoritative.' This is specifically about having the 'right' or the 'expertise' to lead. A doctor is 権威的 because of their knowledge. A 支配的 person might not have any knowledge at all—they just want to be in charge.

支配的 vs. 主導的 (Shudouteki): 主導的 means 'leading' or 'taking the initiative.' This is the positive version of 支配的. If you are 'leading' a project, you are 主導的. If you are 'dictating' every move of the project, you are 支配的.

彼はプロジェクトで主導的な役割を果たした。(He played a leading role in the project - Positive.)

彼はグループに対して支配的だ。(He is dominant/controlling toward the group - Negative.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The 'Shi' (支) in Shihai is the same character used for 'branch' (shiten - branch office), reflecting the idea of extending control from a center to the edges.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ʃi.ha.i.te.ki

US ʃi.ha.i.te.ki

Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'shihaiteki', the pitch typically stays relatively flat after the initial rise.

Rhymes With

Kiteki (whistle) Siteki (pointing out) Kouteki (public) Shiteki (private) Gakuteki (academic) Houteki (legal) Chiteki (intellectual) Geijutsuteki (artistic)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'teki' as 'taki'.
Merging 'hai' into a single English-style 'hi' sound; it should be 'ha-i'.
Stressing the 'teki' too much.
Forgetting to pronounce the 'i' in 'shihai'.
Treating it as a four-syllable word instead of five.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Requires knowledge of N2/N1 kanji and abstract concepts.

Writing 4/5

Must remember the na-adjective grammar and specific collocations.

Speaking 3/5

Useful for advanced debate, but rare in simple daily speech.

Listening 3/5

Common in news and documentaries.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

支配的強い立場影響

Learn Next

優越的圧倒的権威的主導権

Advanced

ヘゲモニーパラダイムイデオロギー濫用

Grammar to Know

Na-Adjective Modification

支配的な + [Noun]

Adverbial form with に

支配的に振る舞う

Causal Linking (~node/kara)

彼は支配的なので、みんな困っている。

Comparison (~yori)

A社のほうがB社より市場で支配的だ。

Excessive quality (~sugiru)

その態度は支配的すぎる。

Examples by Level

彼は支配的です。

He is dominant/bossy.

Subject + は + Adjective + です

支配的なライオン。

A dominant lion.

Adjective + な + Noun

彼女は支配的じゃない。

She is not dominant.

Negative form: 支配的ではない

支配的な声。

A dominant voice.

Modifying a noun

王様は支配的だ。

The king is dominant.

Simple declarative

支配的な色。

A dominant color.

Abstract use of dominance

支配的な人はいやだ。

I don't like dominant people.

Expressing preference

支配的な立場。

A dominant position.

Noun phrase

あの会社は支配的だ。

That company is dominant.

Talking about organizations

支配的な性格を直したい。

I want to fix my dominant personality.

Describing traits

会議で支配的な意見。

A dominant opinion in the meeting.

Group context

彼は支配的に話す。

He speaks dominantly.

Adverbial form (に)

支配的な親は厳しい。

Controlling parents are strict.

Family context

市場で支配的になる。

To become dominant in the market.

Verb 'naru' with adjective

支配的な役割を果たす。

To play a dominant role.

Common collocation

支配的な雰囲気がある。

There is a dominant atmosphere.

Describing 'mood'

その国は地域で支配的な力を持っている。

That country has dominant power in the region.

Geopolitical context

支配的な立場を利用してはいけない。

You must not exploit a dominant position.

Ethical warning

当時はその考えが支配的だった。

At that time, that idea was dominant.

Past tense

支配的なシェアを維持するのは難しい。

It is difficult to maintain a dominant share.

Business context

彼女の支配的な態度に疲れた。

I'm tired of her dominant attitude.

Expressing feelings

支配的な文化が他を圧倒した。

The dominant culture overwhelmed others.

Sociology context

支配的な影響を及ぼす。

To exert a dominant influence.

Formal verb pairing

この理論が科学界で支配的だ。

This theory is dominant in the scientific community.

Academic context

市場の支配的地位を乱用したとして罰せられた。

They were punished for abusing their dominant market position.

Legal/Business context

支配的なイデオロギーに疑問を投げかける。

To cast doubt on the dominant ideology.

Abstract thinking

リーダーシップと支配的な態度は別物だ。

Leadership and a dominant attitude are different things.

Nuance distinction

心理学では支配的な親の影響を研究する。

Psychology studies the influence of controlling parents.

Scientific field

支配的なムードが会場を包んでいた。

A dominant mood enveloped the venue.

Atmospheric description

技術の進化が支配的な要因となった。

The evolution of technology became the dominant factor.

Causal analysis

彼は支配的に振る舞う傾向がある。

He tends to behave dominantly.

Describing tendencies

支配的な言説に従わざるを得ない。

I have no choice but to follow the dominant discourse.

Formal grammar: ~zaru wo enai

支配的なパラダイムが崩壊しつつある。

The dominant paradigm is currently collapsing.

Advanced academic term

メディアは支配的な価値観を形成する。

Media shapes dominant values.

Social theory

自己中心的な支配的欲求が彼を突き動かした。

An egocentric, dominant desire drove him.

Psychological depth

支配的な言説の裏に隠された真実。

The truth hidden behind the dominant discourse.

Critical analysis

経済界における支配的地位の変遷を辿る。

To trace the transitions of dominant positions in the economic world.

Historical analysis

支配的な男性像に対する批判が高まっている。

Criticism of the dominant image of masculinity is increasing.

Gender studies

その政権は支配的な権力を握り続けている。

That regime continues to hold dominant power.

Political science

支配的な美意識が芸術作品に反映されている。

The dominant sense of beauty is reflected in the artworks.

Art criticism

支配的ヘゲモニーの再構築が急務である。

The reconstruction of dominant hegemony is an urgent task.

Highest level sociopolitical term

言説の支配的性格が個人のアイデンティティを規定する。

The dominant nature of discourse defines individual identity.

Philosophical linguistics

市場の支配的プレイヤーによる談合が発覚した。

Collusion by dominant market players was uncovered.

Complex legal/economic news

支配的な物語に抗うための文学的試み。

A literary attempt to resist the dominant narrative.

Literary theory

支配的な感情が理性を凌駕する瞬間。

The moment when dominant emotions surpass reason.

Abstract psychological state

支配的地位の濫用は自由競争を阻害する。

Abuse of a dominant position hinders free competition.

Antitrust terminology

支配的イデオロギーの内面化が進行している。

The internalization of dominant ideology is progressing.

Sociological critique

その建築様式は、当時の支配的な階級の権威を象徴していた。

That architectural style symbolized the authority of the dominant class at the time.

History of art/architecture

Synonyms

優勢な主流の圧倒的な主導的な

Antonyms

従属的な補助的な

Common Collocations

支配的な立場

支配的な性格

支配的な影響

支配的なシェア

支配的な意見

支配的な役割

支配的な言説

支配的な地位

支配的なイデオロギー

支配的な雰囲気

Common Phrases

支配的な地位の乱用

— Abuse of a dominant position (often in legal/antitrust contexts).

市場における支配的な地位の乱用を禁じる。

支配的な考え方

— The prevailing way of thinking in a group or era.

それが当時の支配的な考え方だった。

支配的な力

— Dominant power or force.

彼はグループ内で支配的な力を持っている。

支配的な立場に立つ

— To stand in a dominant position.

彼は常に支配的な立場に立とうとする。

支配的な影響力

— Dominant influence.

彼女はファッション界に支配的な影響力を持つ。

支配的な性格を持つ

— To have a controlling personality.

彼は支配的な性格を持っている。

支配的な文化

— A dominant culture.

支配的な文化が少数派を飲み込む。

支配的なムード

— A dominant mood/atmosphere.

悲観的なムードが支配的になった。

支配的な要因

— A dominant factor.

これが成功の支配的な要因だ。

支配的な政党

— A dominant political party.

その国には支配的な政党が一つしかない。

Often Confused With

支配的 vs 強い (Tsuyoi)

Strong. 支配的 is about power/control, while 強い is a general term for strength.

支配的 vs 人気 (Ninki)

Popular. Something can be dominant (shihai-teki) without being liked (ninki).

支配的 vs 大きい (Ookii)

Big. A company can be big but not dominant if it has many competitors.

Idioms & Expressions

"牛耳る"

— To control or dominate a group (not using the word 支配的, but related).

彼はクラスを牛耳っている。

Informal/Idiomatic

"天下を取る"

— To take over the world/country; to become the top dominant force.

彼はついに業界で天下を取った。

Historical/Common

"尻に敷く"

— To be dominant over one's husband (henpecked husband).

彼女は夫を尻に敷いている。

Informal

"主導権を握る"

— To take the initiative/dominant hand.

彼は会議の主導権を握った。

Neutral

"我が物顔"

— Behaving as if everything belongs to oneself; acting dominant.

彼は我が物顔で振る舞っている。

Informal

"独壇場"

— One's own territory where one is the sole dominant performer.

ここは彼の独壇場だ。

Neutral

"お山の大将"

— King of the hill (often used for someone who is dominant in a small, unimportant group).

彼は地元でお山の大将だ。

Informal/Derogatory

"頭が上がらない"

— To be unable to act dominantly toward someone because of a debt or respect.

彼は妻に頭が上がらない。

Neutral

"言いなりになる"

— To be completely controlled by someone; the opposite of being dominant.

彼は彼女の言いなりだ。

Informal

"幅を利かせる"

— To have great influence or power in a certain area; to be dominant.

彼はこの界隈で幅を利かせている。

Neutral

Easily Confused

支配的 vs 圧倒的

Both imply being 'number one.'

Attouteki refers to the scale/gap (overwhelming), while Shihaiteki refers to the control/influence (dominant).

圧倒的な点差で勝った (Won by an overwhelming point gap).

支配的 vs 権威的

Both involve power over others.

Ken-iteki is based on authority or expertise; Shihaiteki is based on control/rule.

権威的な医師 (An authoritative doctor).

支配的 vs 独裁的

Both mean controlling others.

Dokusai-teki is more extreme, like a tyrant; Shihaiteki is a broader term for any dominant influence.

独裁的な国家 (A dictatorial nation).

支配的 vs 主導的

Both mean being at the front.

Shudouteki is usually positive (leading/initiative); Shihaiteki is often neutral or negative (controlling).

主導的な役割を果たす (Play a leading role).

支配的 vs 優先的

Both mean having a higher status.

Yuusenteki means having 'priority' or being treated first; Shihaiteki means actually 'ruling' the others.

優先的な扱いを受ける (Receive preferential treatment).

Sentence Patterns

[Subject]は支配的です。

彼は支配的です。

[Noun]は[Context]で支配的だ。

このアプリは若者の間で支配的だ。

支配的な[Noun]が[Action]。

支配的な意見が会議を停滞させた。

支配的な地位を[Verb]。

支配的な地位を確立した。

支配的な[Abstract Noun]の[Noun]。

支配的なイデオロギーの内面化。

支配的に[Verb]。

彼は支配的に振る舞う。

支配的であることは[Opinion]。

支配的であることは必ずしも悪ではない。

～が支配的になりつつある。

新しい学説が支配的になりつつある。

Word Family

Nouns

支配 (Control/Rule)

支配者 (Ruler/Governor)

支配権 (Right to rule)

被支配者 (The ruled/subjects)

Verbs

支配する (To control/rule/dominate)

Adjectives

支配的 (Dominant/Controlling)

支配下 (Under control)

支配欲 (Desire for control)

再支配 (Re-dominance)

支配構造 (Dominant structure)

支配層 (Ruling class)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in business, news, and psychology; rare in casual daily chat.

Common Mistakes

支配的人 → 支配的な人
It is a na-adjective, so it needs 'na' to modify a noun.
支配的なコーヒー → 強いコーヒー
支配的 is for power/influence, not flavor intensity.
支配的な手 → 利き手
The term for 'dominant hand' is a specific word, 'kikite'.
支配的に勝つ → 圧倒的に勝つ
Winning by a lot is 'overwhelming' (attouteki), not 'controlling' (shihaiteki).
支配的を握る → 主導権を握る / 支配権を握る
You can't 'hold' an adjective. You hold a noun like 'shudouken' (initiative).

Tips

Context Matters

Always check if you are talking about a person or a market. For people, it's negative. For markets, it's neutral.

Don't forget 'Na'

Remember that it's a na-adjective. You must say 支配的な, not just 支配的.

Positive Alternative

If you want to praise someone's leadership, use 主導的 (shudouteki) instead.

Formal Reports

Use it in business writing to describe a company that has no real competitors.

Harmony

In Japan, calling someone 支配的 is a big insult to their ability to work in a group.

The 'High' Ruler

Think: She is High (Shi-Hai) and dominant.

News Keywords

Listen for it when the news talks about 'Market Share' (シェア).

Adverbial Use

Use 支配的に (shihaiteki ni) to describe how someone is acting in a meeting.

Kanji Breakdown

Remember 支 (support) + 配 (distribute) = Control.

Not just 'Strong'

It's about 'Influence'. A small person can be 支配的 if they have a lot of influence.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'SHE' (Shi) who is 'HIGH' (Hai) up on a throne, pointing at a 'TARGET' (Teki). She is dominant.

Visual Association

A giant chess piece (the King) towering over small pawns, with the word 'SHI-HAI-TEKI' written across the board.

Word Web

Power Control Market Share Bossy Mainstream Hegemony Influence Strict

Challenge

Try to identify one thing in your life that is 'shihai-teki' (like your phone's influence or a dominant brand you use) and describe it in Japanese.

Word Origin

Composed of Sino-Japanese characters (Kanji). 'Shi' (支) originally meant a branch or to support. 'Hai' (配) meant to distribute or allocate. Together, 'Shihai' meant to manage or administer, which evolved into 'rule' or 'control.'

Original meaning: To manage and distribute resources (administrative control).

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Avoid using it to describe your boss or teacher directly to their face, as it sounds like you are calling them a dictator.

Translates well to 'dominant' or 'controlling,' but 'dominant' in English is sometimes used more positively (e.g., a dominant athlete) than 'shihai-teki' usually is for individuals.

Used in critiques of 'Patriarchy' (Kafu-chou-teki shihai). Common in business news regarding 'GAFA' (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon). Appears in psychological discussions of 'Toxic Parents' (Doku-oya).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business

市場の支配的地位
支配的なシェア
支配的なプレイヤー
支配的な影響力

Psychology

支配的な親
支配的なパートナー
支配的な性格
支配的な関係

Society

支配的な価値観
支配的な文化
支配的なイデオロギー
支配的な言説

Politics

支配的な政党
支配的な勢力
支配的な国家
支配的な権力

History

支配的な階級
支配的な思想
支配的な宗教
支配的な体制

Conversation Starters

"あなたの国で、今最も支配的なSNSは何ですか？ (What is the most dominant SNS in your country right now?)"

"支配的なリーダーと、協調的なリーダー、どちらが良いと思いますか？ (Which do you think is better: a dominant leader or a cooperative leader?)"

"過去に支配的な性格の人と一緒に仕事をしたことがありますか？ (Have you ever worked with a dominant personality before?)"

"現在の市場で、支配的な地位にある企業はどこだと思いますか？ (Which company do you think holds a dominant position in the current market?)"

"社会の支配的な価値観に合わせることは大切だと思いますか？ (Do you think it's important to conform to society's dominant values?)"

Journal Prompts

自分が『支配的』になってしまった経験について書いてください。 (Write about an experience where you became 'dominant'.)

現代社会において、最も支配的な影響力を持っているものは何だと思いますか？ (What do you think has the most dominant influence in modern society?)

支配的な親に育てられることのメリットとデメリットを論じてください。 (Discuss the pros and cons of being raised by dominant parents.)

あなたの業界で支配的な立場を築くためには、何が必要ですか？ (What is necessary to build a dominant position in your industry?)

支配的な意見に対して、どのように自分の意見を伝えますか？ (How do you convey your own opinion against a dominant one?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. In business, having a '支配的なシェア' (dominant share) is usually a sign of success. However, when describing a person's character, it is almost always seen as a negative trait implying they are bossy or controlling.

It is uncommon. For a strong smell that takes over a room, '強い' (tsuyoi) or '強烈な' (kyouretsuna) is better. '支配的' is for power and influence, not sensory intensity.

The most direct antonym is '従属的' (juuzokuteki), meaning subordinate or dependent. Other opposites include '受動的' (passive) and '協調的' (cooperative).

You can say '支配的な彼氏' (shihaiteki na kareshi). This is a common way to describe someone in an unhealthy, controlling relationship.

Yes, in a political or sociological context, '支配的' often translates the concept of 'hegemonic' (as in 支配的ヘゲモニー).

支配的 is an adjective (dominant), while 支配する is the verb (to dominate/control). You use the adjective for traits and the verb for actions.

Yes. If a team is so good they control every game, they are '支配的'. However, '圧倒的' (overwhelming) is more common in sports commentary.

Yes, it is typically considered N1 or high N2 level vocabulary due to its abstract nature and use in formal contexts.

Yes! '支配的な考え方' means the mainstream or prevailing way of thinking in a society or group.

Actually, 'dominant hand' is '利き手' (kikite), not 支配的な手. This is a common mistake for English speakers!