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noun HSK 4
zhǔ rèn
director · head · chairman · supervisor

Meaning

主任 refers to a person in charge of a department, office, committee, or organization. It's a common administrative title used in government offices, schools, hospitals, and companies to designate someone with leadership responsibility over a specific unit or division.

Usage

This is a formal title used in professional and institutional contexts. It appears after the department name (e.g., 办公室主任 'office director') or can stand alone when the context is clear. The term is respectful and often used when addressing or referring to someone in this position.

Examples

  1. 01
    我们系主任是一位很有经验的教授。
    Wǒmen xì zhǔ rèn shì yī wèi hěn yǒu jīng yàn de jiào shòu.
    Our department head is a very experienced professor.
  2. 02
    你应该去找办公室主任商量这件事。
    Nǐ yīng gāi qù zhǎo bàn gōng shì zhǔ rèn shāng liáng zhè jiàn shì.
    You should go discuss this matter with the office director.

Characters

Measure words

  • 位wèi一位主任
  • 名míng三名主任

Common collocations

  • 办公室主任
    bàn gōng shì zhǔ rèn
    office director
  • 系主任
    xì zhǔ rèn
    department head (academic)
  • 班主任
    bān zhǔ rèn
    homeroom teacher, class advisor
  • 科室主任
    kē shì zhǔ rèn
    department head (hospital/office)

Antonyms

Origin

The word combines 主 (main, in charge) with 任 (responsibility, duty), literally meaning 'main responsibility holder' or 'one who takes charge.'

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