监督

• Pinyin: jiān dū
• Hanzi breakdown: 监 = to supervise; 督 = 叔 + 目 (eye), to oversee with eyes

Meaning

To supervise; to oversee; supervision.

Refers to watching over and checking on work, behavior, or processes to ensure compliance. Used in workplace management, government oversight, and quality control. Can be used as both a verb and a noun.

Examples

1. 纪检部门的职责是监督党员干部的廉洁自律情况。 The discipline inspection department's responsibility is to supervise the integrity and self-discipline of party cadres.
2. 家长应该适当监督孩子的学习，但不要管得太死。 Parents should appropriately supervise their children's studies, but not be too controlling.
3. 加强对食品安全的监督检查是政府的重要职责。 Strengthening supervision and inspection of food safety is an important responsibility of the government.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, government, parenting

Tone: authoritative

Do Say

• 请监督我按时完成任务。(Please supervise me to complete the task on time.)
• 我们欢迎社会各界的监督。(We welcome supervision from all sectors of society.)

Don't Say

• 在轻松场合使用监督 (Can sound too formal/controlling — use 帮我看着 in casual contexts)

Origin & History

Compound of 监 (to supervise) + 督 (to oversee/urge). Both characters relate to watching over.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal