zhuchi: 主持 - To Host, To Preside Over, To Manage

• Keywords: 主持, zhuchi, Chinese for host, host a show in Chinese, preside over a meeting, Chinese MC, what does zhuchi mean, manage in Chinese, take charge of, HSK 5 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn the versatile Chinese verb “主持” (zhǔchí). This HSK 5 word means more than just “to host”; it encompasses presiding over meetings, managing projects, and taking a central, leading role. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use, from hosting a TV show to chairing a formal conference, helping you use it like a native speaker.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhǔ chí
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To take charge of, to manage, to preside over, or to host an event or program.
• In a Nutshell: Think of “主持” as being the central pillar of an event or process. Whether you're an MC on stage, the chairperson at a meeting, or the lead on a project, you are the one “holding” (持) the “main” (主) responsibility and guiding everything forward. You're not just participating; you are in the driver's seat.

• 主 (zhǔ): Meaning “main,” “primary,” “owner,” or “host.” Pictorially, it can be imagined as a lamp (王) with a flame (丶) on top, representing the central or most important source of light.
• 持 (chí): Meaning “to hold,” “to grasp,” or “to support.” The left side is the “hand” radical (扌), clearly indicating an action of holding or grasping. The right side (寺) provides the phonetic component.
• Together, 主持 (zhǔchí) literally translates to “holding the main role.” This beautifully captures the essence of being the central figure who directs, guides, and is responsible for the flow of an event or meeting.

In Chinese culture, the person who 主持 (zhǔchí) an event holds a position of significant authority and respect. They are not merely a facilitator but the designated leader responsible for the event's success, tone, and harmony.

• Comparison to Western “Host” or “MC”: A Western Master of Ceremonies (MC) is often focused on entertainment, keeping the energy up, and transitioning between segments. While a Chinese 主持人 (zhǔchírén - the person who hosts) does this, they also carry a heavier weight of responsibility. They must “control the room” (控场 kòngchǎng), ensure all important guests are acknowledged, maintain a proper level of formality, and guide the proceedings with a firm but graceful hand. For a meeting, the person who 主持 is unequivocally in charge, directing the agenda and discussion, which can feel more hierarchical than the “facilitator” role often encouraged in Western corporate culture.
• Related Values: The concept reflects the importance of clear hierarchy and defined roles in many Chinese social and business structures. Having a single, clear person to 主持 ensures order, efficiency, and prevents chaos (乱 luàn), which aligns with the cultural value placed on harmony and smooth proceedings.

“主持” is a common and important word used in various formal and professional contexts.

• In Media and Entertainment: This is one of the most frequent uses. It refers to hosting a TV show, radio program, or live event. The host is a famous and respected figure, the 主持人 (zhǔchírén).
• In Business and Formal Settings: It means “to preside over” or “to chair” a meeting, conference, or ceremony. This is a formal and official role.
• In Management and Work: It can mean “to be in charge of” or “to direct” a specific task, project, or department's work, emphasizing leadership and direct management.

• Example 1:
  • 今天的会议由王经理主持。
  • Pinyin: Jīntiān de huìyì yóu Wáng jīnglǐ zhǔchí.
  • English: Today's meeting will be presided over by Manager Wang.
  • Analysis: This is a classic, formal business use. The structure “由…主持” (yóu…zhǔchí) is very common to indicate who is chairing an event.
• Example 2:
  • 她梦想成为一名电视节目主持人。
  • Pinyin: Tā mèngxiǎng chéngwéi yī míng diànshì jiémù zhǔchírén.
  • English: She dreams of becoming a TV show host.
  • Analysis: This example uses the noun form 主持人 (zhǔchírén), “host/MC,” which is directly derived from the verb.
• Example 3:
  • 这次重要的谈判是由他来主持的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì zhòngyào de tánpàn shì yóu tā lái zhǔchí de.
  • English: He was the one who led this important negotiation.
  • Analysis: Here, 主持 implies leading and directing a process, not just a single event. The “是…的” (shì…de) structure emphasizes who was in charge.
• Example 4:
  • 在我们老板回来之前，由你主持大局。
  • Pinyin: Zài wǒmen lǎobǎn huílái zhīqián, yóu nǐ zhǔchí dàjú.
  • English: Before our boss gets back, you will be in charge of the overall situation.
  • Analysis: “主持大局” (zhǔchí dàjú) is a set phrase meaning to take control of the big picture or overall situation. It implies high-level management.
• Example 5:
  • 这场婚礼的主持人非常幽默，气氛很好。
  • Pinyin: Zhè chǎng hūnlǐ de zhǔchírén fēicháng yōumò, qìfēn hěn hǎo.
  • English: The host of this wedding was very humorous, and the atmosphere was great.
  • Analysis: Shows the use of 主持 in the context of personal events like a wedding. The host's skill directly impacts the event's feeling (气氛 qìfēn).
• Example 6:
  • 联合国秘书长主持了开幕式。
  • Pinyin: Liánhéguó mìshūzhǎng zhǔchí le kāimùshì.
  • English: The Secretary-General of the United Nations presided over the opening ceremony.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the use of 主持 in a highly formal, international, and official context.
• Example 7:
  • 这个新项目将由研发部主持。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xīn xiàngmù jiāng yóu yánfā bù zhǔchí.
  • English: This new project will be led by the R&D department.
  • Analysis: Here, an entire department, not just a person, can be the subject that “主持,” meaning it takes the lead responsibility.
• Example 8:
  • 法官必须主持公道。
  • Pinyin: Fǎguān bìxū zhǔchí gōngdào.
  • English: A judge must uphold justice.
  • Analysis: “主持公道” (zhǔchí gōngdào) is an important abstract collocation meaning “to uphold justice” or “to preside over a just matter.” It shows the word's connection to fairness and authority.
• Example 9:
  • 谁来主持我们下一周的团队分享会？
  • Pinyin: Shéi lái zhǔchí wǒmen xià yī zhōu de tuánduì fēnxiǎnghuì?
  • English: Who is going to lead our team's sharing session next week?
  • Analysis: A very practical, everyday office question. It's less formal than a major conference but still uses 主持 correctly.
• Example 10:
  • 作为班长，他经常主持班会。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi bānzhǎng, tā jīngcháng zhǔchí bānhuì.
  • English: As the class monitor, he often presides over class meetings.
  • Analysis: This usage is common in a school or academic context, where the student leader (班长 bānzhǎng) takes charge.

• False Friend Alert: Hosting guests at home.
  • A very common mistake is using 主持 to mean “hosting” friends for dinner. 主持 is for formal events, programs, or meetings. For having guests over, you should use 招待 (zhāodài) or 请客 (qǐngkè).
  • Incorrect: 我周末要主持一些朋友来家里玩。
  • Correct: 我周末要招待一些朋友来家里玩。(I'm going to host some friends at my home this weekend.)
• 主持 (zhǔchí) vs. 管理 (guǎnlǐ)
  • 主持 implies being the central, often public-facing, leader of a specific event or process (e.g., a meeting, a show).
  • 管理 (guǎnlǐ) means “to manage” in a broader, more administrative sense. It involves operations, logistics, and long-term oversight.
  • Example: A CEO 管理 (guǎnlǐ) the whole company, but the marketing director 主持 (zhǔchí) the weekly marketing meeting.
• 主持 (zhǔchí) vs. 负责 (fùzé)
  • 主持 implies active leadership and direction.
  • 负责 (fùzé) means “to be responsible for.” You can be 负责 for a task without actively leading an event.
  • Example: At a conference, one person might be 负责 (fùzé) for booking the hotel, another is 负责 (fùzé) for the catering, but only one person will 主持 (zhǔchí) the opening ceremony.

• 主持人 (zhǔchírén) - The noun form: host, MC, anchor, chairperson. The person who performs the action of 主持.
• 主席 (zhǔxí) - Chairman. The formal title of the person who often 主持 meetings or organizations.
• 会议 (huìyì) - Meeting, conference. A very common object for the verb 主持.
• 举办 (jǔbàn) - To hold or conduct (an event). A company 举办 an event, and then a person is chosen to 主持 it.
• 负责 (fùzé) - To be responsible for. A related concept of duty, but lacks the “in-the-moment” leadership of 主持.
• 管理 (guǎnlǐ) - To manage. Broader than 主持, referring to overall administration rather than chairing a specific event.
• 招待 (zhāodài) - To entertain guests, to host (in a social, personal context). The correct term for having friends over.
• 领导 (lǐngdǎo) - To lead; a leader. This is a general term for leadership, while 主持 is specific to directing an event or process.