Meanings of 总裁
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 总裁
Podcast: 总裁
Podcast: 总裁
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 总裁
首席执行官 (shǒuxí zhíxíngguān) - use 总裁 (zǒngcái) when referring to the highest-ranking executive in a company in a more formal context, while 首席执行官 (shǒuxí zhíxíngguān) is often used interchangeably but may imply a more operational focus.
Imagine a grand CEO sitting at the head of a boardroom table, with a '总' (zǒng) meaning 'overall' or 'total' overseeing the '裁' (cái) or 'cut' of decisions made. Visualize this scene to connect the leadership role with the character's components, helping you remember its meaning and pronunciation.
When using 总裁, it is important to maintain a formal register, as it pertains to high-level corporate positions. Common collocations include '公司总裁' (gōngsī zǒngcái) for 'company president.' A common mistake is to confuse it with '经理' (jīnglǐ), which means 'manager' and denotes a lower level of authority.
As an HSK 5 word, 总裁 connects well with other business-related vocabulary from this level, such as '企业' (qǐyè - enterprise) and '管理' (guǎnlǐ - management). Focus on how it fits into discussions about company structure and leadership roles to enhance your understanding.
In Chinese corporate culture, the role of a 总裁 is often seen as not just a leader but also a figure representing the company's values and vision. This position can carry significant influence in both business and social contexts, reflecting the importance of hierarchy in Chinese society.
Learners often confuse 总裁 with similar terms like 'CEO' or 'manager.' For example, saying '我想成为一个总裁' (I want to become a manager) is incorrect; it should specify the high-level executive role, such as '我想成为一个总裁' (I want to become a chairman).
Pronunciation of 总裁
Drill the tone of 总裁 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Component Characters
Write 总裁
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 总裁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 总裁
总裁 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
坎贝尔公司的____退休后，麦戈文被选定为继任者。
When the chairman of Campbell's retired, McGovern was named as his successor.
Example Sentences for 总裁 (4)
Cultural Notes for 总裁
In Chinese corporate culture, the role of a 总裁 is often seen as not just a leader but also a figure representing the company's values and vision. This position can carry significant influence in both business and social contexts, reflecting the importance of hierarchy in Chinese society.
Frequently Asked Questions about 总裁
总裁 typically refers to the chief executive or president of a company, while 董事长 (dǒngshìzhǎng) is the chairman of the board, usually involved in governance rather than daily operations.