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主编 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
主编zhǔbiāneditor in chiefHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #8804, Very Hard
zhǔbiān(zhu3bian1)zhu bian T3
  1. 1editor in chief
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March 24, 2026

主编(主編)zhǔbiān(zhu3bian1)

主编 (zhǔ biān) refers to the editor in chief or the head editor of a publication. This person is responsible for overseeing the content, direction, and overall quality of the publication. In contexts such as newspapers, magazines, or academic journals, the role is crucial for maintaining editorial standards and making key decisions about what gets published.

Strokes17Frequency#8804DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese media, the role of 主编 is particularly significant, as they not only influence content but also represent the publication's voice and values, reflecting the importance of editorial integrity in Chinese journalism.

Memory Tip

Imagine a '主' (master) holding the '编' (weave) of a giant book, symbolizing their authority and creativity in crafting the publication. The '主' resembles a person standing tall, overseeing a web of stories and articles that the '编' helps to organize.

Meanings of 主编

zhǔbiān(zhu3bian1)
1editor in chief
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 主编

主编Simplified
主編Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 主编

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AI Study Notes for 主编

Quick Contrast

编辑 (biān jí) vs 主编 (zhǔ biān): use 主编 for the head editor, while 编辑 refers to any editor, typically with less authority.

Usage Notes

Be cautious about using this term in informal settings, as it conveys a formal title. Common collocations include '主编的职责' (the responsibilities of the editor in chief) or '主编的意见' (the opinions of the editor in chief). Ensure correct tones are used to avoid confusion: '主' (zhǔ) with a third tone and '编' (biān) with a first tone.

HSK Study Tips

While '主编' may not be specifically listed in HSK levels, it connects to vocabulary associated with media and professions. At this level, focus on recognizing similar compound words related to jobs and responsibilities.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 主编 with other editorial titles like 编辑 (biān jí), which means 'editor' without the chief designation. For example, saying '他是编辑' (tā shì biān jí) when referring to someone who is actually the 主编 dilutes their authority.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 主编

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Component Characters

主zhǔowner
HSK 75 strokes丶
View full entry
编biānto weave
HSK 612 strokes纟
View full entry

How to say editor in chief in Chinese

“editor in chief” in Chinese is主编zhǔbiān

主编 (zhǔ biān) refers to the editor in chief or the head editor of a publication. This person is responsible for overseeing the content, direction, and overall quality of the publication. In contexts such as newspapers, magazines, or academic journals, the role is crucial for maintaining editorial standards and making key decisions about what gets published.

When to use 主编

Be cautious about using this term in informal settings, as it conveys a formal title. Common collocations include '主编的职责' (the responsibilities of the editor in chief) or '主编的意见' (the opinions of the editor in chief). Ensure correct tones are used to avoid confusion: '主' (zhǔ) with a third tone and '编' (biān) with a first tone.

主编 or something close to it

编辑 (biān jí) vs 主编 (zhǔ biān): use 主编 for the head editor, while 编辑 refers to any editor, typically with less authority.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 主编 with other editorial titles like 编辑 (biān jí), which means 'editor' without the chief designation. For example, saying '他是编辑' (tā shì biān jí) when referring to someone who is actually the 主编 dilutes their authority.

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主
编

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Frequently Asked Questions about 主编

The 主编 is responsible for guiding the editorial team, making final decisions on content, and ensuring the publication meets its quality standards.

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