经理

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jīnglǐ: 经理 - Manager

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: 经理, jīnglǐ, Chinese manager, what does jingli mean, manager in Chinese, Chinese business titles, 经理 vs 老板, Chinese job titles, business culture China, HSK 3 vocabulary
  • Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of 经理 (jīnglǐ), the essential Chinese word for “manager.” This page breaks down the term, explains its crucial role in Chinese business culture, and contrasts it with the Western concept of a manager. Discover how to use jīnglǐ correctly in formal situations, understand its relationship to other titles like 老板 (lǎobǎn), and see practical examples to improve your business Chinese.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): jīnglǐ
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 3
  • Concise Definition: A manager; a person responsible for controlling or administering an organization or group of staff.
  • In a Nutshell: 经理 (jīnglǐ) is the standard, formal term for a “manager” in a Chinese corporate or business environment. It's not just a job description; it's a title of respect that signifies authority over a specific department, project, or team. If someone is in charge of a team but isn't the ultimate owner of the company, they are likely a 经理.

Character Breakdown

  • 经 (jīng): This character is associated with managing, handling, or passing through. Think of it as the “operations” part of management. It's the same character used in 经济 (jīngjì - economy) and 经验 (jīngyàn - experience).
  • 理 (lǐ): This character means “to arrange,” “to put in order,” “reason,” or “logic.” It represents the organizational and logical side of management. It appears in words like 管理 (guǎnlǐ - to manage) and 道理 (dàolǐ - reason/principle).
  • Together, 经理 (jīnglǐ) literally means someone who “manages and puts things in order,” a perfect description of a manager's role.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In Western business culture, the relationship with a manager can often be quite casual, with first names being the norm. However, in China, the title 经理 reinforces a more defined and respected hierarchy.
  • Comparison to “Manager”: While the function is the same, the title 经理 carries a heavier weight of formality and social distance. Addressing a manager is a key part of workplace etiquette. You would almost always address them as “[Surname] + 经理” (e.g., 王经理 Wáng Jīnglǐ) as a sign of respect for their position. Calling them by their first name would be considered overly familiar and potentially disrespectful in most professional settings.
  • This reflects the broader cultural value placed on hierarchy and respect for authority. The title isn't just a label; it's a social signal that defines the relationship between a subordinate and their superior.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Formal Title: 经理 is a formal job title used on business cards, in contracts, and in official company structures.
  • Direct Address: The most common and important use for a learner is in direct address. When speaking to a manager, you should use their surname followed by 经理. For example, “Lǐ Jīnglǐ, nín hǎo” (Hello, Manager Li). Using the polite “you” (您 nín) is also recommended.
  • Compound Titles: It is frequently combined with a department name to create more specific titles:
    • 销售经理 (xiāoshòu jīnglǐ): Sales Manager
    • 项目经理 (xiàngmù jīnglǐ): Project Manager
    • 人事经理 (rénshì jīnglǐ): HR Manager
    • 市场部经理 (shìchǎngbù jīnglǐ): Marketing Department Manager

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 这是我们的新经理，王先生。
    • Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒmen de xīn jīnglǐ, Wáng xiānsheng.
    • English: This is our new manager, Mr. Wang.
    • Analysis: A neutral, common introduction in a workplace setting.
  • Example 2:
    • 李经理，这份报告需要您签字。
    • Pinyin: Lǐ jīnglǐ, zhè fèn bàogào xūyào nín qiānzì.
    • English: Manager Li, this report needs your signature.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates the proper way to address a manager formally: “Surname + Title.” Note the use of 您 (nín) for politeness.
  • Example 3:
    • 我想申请贵公司的项目经理职位。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng shēnqǐng guì gōngsī de xiàngmù jīnglǐ zhíwèi.
    • English: I would like to apply for the project manager position at your esteemed company.
    • Analysis: Shows how 经理 is used as part of a specific job title in a formal application context.
  • Example 4:
    • 作为一名经理，他必须对整个团队负责。
    • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng jīnglǐ, tā bìxū duì zhěnggè tuánduì fùzé.
    • English: As a manager, he must be responsible for the entire team.
    • Analysis: This sentence describes the responsibilities that come with the role of a 经理.
  • Example 5:
    • 你好，我想找你们的经理谈一谈。
    • Pinyin: Nǐ hǎo, wǒ xiǎng zhǎo nǐmen de jīnglǐ tán yī tán.
    • English: Hello, I would like to speak to your manager.
    • Analysis: A typical phrase used by a customer asking to speak to the person in charge, for example, in a store or hotel.
  • Example 6:
    • 我们的经理要求我们明天早上九点准时开会。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen de jīnglǐ yāoqiú wǒmen míngtiān zǎoshang jiǔ diǎn zhǔnshí kāihuì.
    • English: Our manager requires us to have a meeting punctually at 9 AM tomorrow.
    • Analysis: Illustrates a manager giving a command or setting a requirement for their staff.
  • Example 7:
    • 他是一个非常严格的经理，但也很公平。
    • Pinyin: Tā shì yī ge fēicháng yángé de jīnglǐ, dàn yě hěn gōngpíng.
    • English: He is a very strict manager, but also very fair.
    • Analysis: Shows how you can use adjectives to describe a manager's personality or management style.
  • Example 8:
    • 他是人事部经理，不是财务部经理。
    • Pinyin: Tā shì rénshìbù jīnglǐ, bùshì cáiwùbù jīnglǐ.
    • English: He is the HR manager, not the finance manager.
    • Analysis: This clarifies the specific domain or department a 经理 is in charge of.
  • Example 9:
    • 我希望将来能成为一名成功的酒店经理。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ xīwàng jiānglái néng chéngwéi yī míng chénggōng de jiǔdiàn jīnglǐ.
    • English: I hope to become a successful hotel manager in the future.
    • Analysis: Expressing a career aspiration involving a management role.
  • Example 10:
    • 这个决定最终需要经理的批准。
    • Pinyin: Zhège juédìng zuìzhōng xūyào jīnglǐ de pīzhǔn.
    • English: This decision ultimately needs the manager's approval.
    • Analysis: Highlights the manager's authority in the decision-making process.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • 经理 (jīnglǐ) vs. 老板 (lǎobǎn): This is the most common point of confusion.
    • 经理 (jīnglǐ): A hired employee who manages a part of the business. They report to someone higher up.
    • 老板 (lǎobǎn): The owner, the boss, the founder. They own the company. A small restaurant owner is a 老板, not a 经理.
    • Incorrect usage: Pointing to the owner of a small noodle shop and saying, “他是经理 (Tā shì jīnglǐ).” You should say, “他是老板 (Tā shì lǎobǎn).”
  • 经理 (jīnglǐ) vs. 总经理 (zǒngjīnglǐ):
    • 总经理 (zǒngjīnglǐ): “General Manager” or “CEO” in some contexts. The 总 (zǒng) means “chief” or “general.” This is a high-level executive who often oversees other managers. A 总经理 is much higher in rank than a regular 经理.
  • 经理 (jīnglǐ) vs. 主管 (zhǔguǎn):
    • 主管 (zhǔguǎn): “Supervisor.” This is typically a lower-level management position. A 主管 might lead a small team within a department that is run by a 经理.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 老板 (lǎobǎn) - The boss, owner. The person a 经理 reports to.
  • 总经理 (zǒngjīnglǐ) - General Manager. A higher-ranking manager who oversees other 经理.
  • 主管 (zhǔguǎn) - Supervisor. A lower-level management role, often subordinate to a 经理.
  • 管理 (guǎnlǐ) - The verb “to manage” or the noun “management.” This is the action that a 经理 performs.
  • 领导 (lǐngdǎo) - Leader. A broader term for anyone in authority, including a 经理, but also government officials or team captains.
  • 下属 (xiàshǔ) - Subordinate. The employees who work under a 经理.
  • 同事 (tóngshì) - Colleague; co-worker. Someone at the same hierarchical level.
  • 部门 (bùmén) - Department. The specific division a 经理 is in charge of, e.g., 销售部 (sales department).
  • 公司 (gōngsī) - Company; firm. The organization where a 经理 works.
  • 职位 (zhíwèi) - (Job) position. 经理 is a common 职位.