船长

• Pinyin: chuán zhǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 船 = 舟 (boat) + 㕣 (phonetic), ship; 长 = pictograph of long hair, chief

Meaning

Captain; ship captain; master (of a vessel). The commanding officer of a ship.

The person in charge of a vessel, responsible for navigation, safety, and all operations on board. A prestigious maritime position requiring extensive experience and certification. Also used metaphorically for leaders or decision-makers.

Examples

1. 船长下令全体船员立即集合。 The captain ordered all crew members to assemble immediately.
2. 他从普通水手一步步升到了船长。 He rose from an ordinary sailor to captain step by step.
3. 在紧急情况下，船长有权做出所有决定。 In emergencies, the captain has the authority to make all decisions.

Usage Guide

Context: maritime, transportation

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 船长，前方发现冰山！(Captain, iceberg spotted ahead!)
• 船长负责整艘船的安全。(The captain is responsible for the safety of the entire ship.)

Don't Say

• 飞机驾驶员是'机长'，不是'船长' (For airplane pilots, use 机长, not 船长)

Origin & History

Combines 船 (ship) with 长 (chief/leader), meaning the leader of a ship.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal