团长

• Pinyin: tuán zhǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 团 = 囗 (enclosure) + 才, group/round; 长 = pictograph of a person with long hair, chief

Meaning

Head of a delegation; regiment commander; troupe leader.

Has different meanings based on context: (1) leader of a visiting delegation or tour group, (2) military rank of regiment commander, (3) director of an artistic troupe (剧团团长). Used as both title and position description. An important leadership role in various organizational contexts.

Examples

1. 代表团团长在欢迎宴会上发表了讲话。 The head of the delegation gave a speech at the welcome banquet.
2. 旅行团的团长负责协调整个行程安排。 The tour group leader is responsible for coordinating the entire itinerary.
3. 他是这个杂技团的团长，带领团队走遍了世界各地。 He's the director of this acrobatic troupe and has led the team all over the world.

Usage Guide

Context: delegation, military, performing arts

Tone: official

Do Say

• 请问哪位是团长？(Excuse me, who is the group leader?)
• 团长率团访问。(The delegation head leads the visit.)

Don't Say

• 我们团长 when referring to a casual group organizer — 团长 implies formal leadership; use 组织者 or 领队 for informal settings

Origin & History

Compound of 团 (group/regiment) + 长 (leader/chief), meaning the head of a group or regiment.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal