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所长 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
所长suǒchángwhat one is good atHSK 3, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #20813, Medium
所长suǒchánghead of an institute etcHSK 3, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #20813, Medium
所长suǒzhǎngwhat one is good atHSK 3, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #20813, Medium
所长suǒzhǎnghead of an institute etcHSK 3, unknown, 12 strokes, rank #20813, Medium
suǒcháng(suo3chang2)suo chang
primary
T3
  1. 1what one is good at
  2. 2head of an institute etc
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March 24, 2026

所长(所長)suǒcháng(suo3chang2)

所长 refers to the head or director of an organization, such as an institute or department. It can also denote someone's area of expertise or what they excel at, showcasing both leadership and proficiency in a specific field.

Strokes12Frequency#20813DifficultyMedium
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the title 所长 carries significant respect and authority, as it denotes leadership within educational or governmental institutions, reflecting the importance placed on hierarchy and expertise.

Memory tip

Imagine a wise elder (长, cháng) who is the head (所, suǒ) of a knowledge institute. Picture this elder guiding and teaching students, symbolizing leadership and expertise, which helps you remember both the meaning and sound of 所长.

Meanings of 所长

suǒcháng(suo3chang2)
primary
1what one is good at
2head of an institute etc
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 所长

所长Simplified
所長Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

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Podcast: 所长

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AI study notes for 所长

Quick Contrast

主任 (zhǔrèn) - use 所长 for a head of an organization emphasizing expertise, while 主任 focuses more on administrative leadership.

Usage Notes

所长 is generally used in formal contexts, such as academic or professional environments. A common mistake is to confuse it with other titles; ensure you use it specifically for heads of institutes. Be aware of the context to avoid sounding overly formal in casual conversations.

HSK Study Tips

Although 所长 may not appear in lower HSK levels, it's useful for learners at HSK 4 and above when discussing professions or organizational structures. Focus on related vocabulary like '所' (place) and '长' (long/leader) to enhance your understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 所长 when referring to general managers or leaders in non-institutional contexts. For example, saying '公司所长' (company head) is incorrect; instead, use '总经理' (general manager).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 所长

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Component characters

所suǒactually
HSK 58 strokes户
View full entry
长chánglength
HSK 24 strokes长
View full entry

How to say what one is good at in Chinese

“what one is good at” in Chinese is所长suǒcháng

所长 refers to the head or director of an organization, such as an institute or department. It can also denote someone's area of expertise or what they excel at, showcasing both leadership and proficiency in a specific field.

When to use 所长

所长 is generally used in formal contexts, such as academic or professional environments. A common mistake is to confuse it with other titles; ensure you use it specifically for heads of institutes. Be aware of the context to avoid sounding overly formal in casual conversations.

所长 or something close to it

主任 (zhǔrèn) - use 所长 for a head of an organization emphasizing expertise, while 主任 focuses more on administrative leadership.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 所长 when referring to general managers or leaders in non-institutional contexts. For example, saying '公司所长' (company head) is incorrect; instead, use '总经理' (general manager).

Write 所长

所
长

Practice writing 所长 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently asked questions about 所长

No, 所长 is specifically used for heads of institutes or departments, not for general leadership roles.

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