Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
总监 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
总监zǒngjiānheadHSK 6, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #7599, Hard
总监zǒngjiāndirector (of an organizational unit)HSK 6, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #7599, Hard
总监zǒngjiān(police) commissionerHSK 6, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #7599, Hard
总监zǒngjiāninspector-generalHSK 6, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #7599, Hard
总监zǒngjiānrank of local governor in Tang dynasty administrationHSK 6, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #7599, Hard
zǒngjiān(zong3jian1)zong jian T3
  1. 1head
  2. 2director (of an organizational unit)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

总监(總監)zǒngjiān(zong3jian1)

总监 (zǒngjiān) refers to a director or head of a specific organizational unit, often within a company or government. This term is commonly used in business and administrative contexts, indicating a position of authority and responsibility over a particular department or area.

Strokes19Frequency#7599DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese corporate culture, the role of a 总监 is crucial as it often involves not just management but also strategic decision-making, reflecting the collectivist nature of Chinese business practices.

Memory Tip

Think of 总 (zǒng) as 'overall' and 监 (jiān) as 'monitor'. Imagine a director overseeing a large project, ensuring everything runs smoothly—this is the essence of a 总监.

Meanings of 总监

zǒngjiān(zong3jian1)
1head
2director (of an organizational unit)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 总监 means.

About 总监

总监Simplified
總監Traditional
19Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1

Podcast: 总监

JasonAmy

Podcast: 总监

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 总监

Usage Notes

总监 is typically used in formal settings, such as corporate or governmental environments. A common mistake is to confuse it with '经理' (jīnglǐ), which means 'manager' and has a broader, less authoritative connotation. Be mindful of the tone; the third tone in 总 (zǒng) should not be pronounced with a rising intonation.

HSK Study Tips

While 总监 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it relates to HSK Level 5 business terms. Learners should focus on understanding organizational hierarchy vocabulary and practice using it in formal contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 总监 when they mean 'manager' (经理). For example, saying '我是公司的总监' (I am the manager of the company) should be corrected to '我是公司的经理'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 总监

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 总监 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 总监 to You

Let me explain 总监 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 总监 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 总监?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 总监 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component Characters

总zǒngalways
HSK 39 strokes心
View full entry
监jiānhard
HSK 710 strokes皿
View full entry

How to say head in Chinese

“head” in Chinese is总监zǒngjiān

总监 (zǒngjiān) refers to a director or head of a specific organizational unit, often within a company or government. This term is commonly used in business and administrative contexts, indicating a position of authority and responsibility over a particular department or area.

When to use 总监

总监 is typically used in formal settings, such as corporate or governmental environments. A common mistake is to confuse it with '经理' (jīnglǐ), which means 'manager' and has a broader, less authoritative connotation. Be mindful of the tone; the third tone in 总 (zǒng) should not be pronounced with a rising intonation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 总监 when they mean 'manager' (经理). For example, saying '我是公司的总监' (I am the manager of the company) should be corrected to '我是公司的经理'.

Write 总监

总
监

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 总监?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Frequently Asked Questions about 总监

No, 总监 refers to a specific department head, while a CEO oversees the entire organization.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 总监?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab