总经理

• Pinyin: zǒng jīng lǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 总 = general; 经 = 纟(silk) + 巠 (phonetic), to manage; 理 = 王 (jade) + 里 (village), to arrange/govern

Meaning

General manager; CEO; the chief executive of a company.

The top executive responsible for overall company operations. In Chinese companies, this often equates to CEO, though some companies have both positions. Reports to the board of directors and oversees all aspects of business.

Examples

1. 总经理亲自出席了这次客户答谢会，显示了公司对大客户的重视。 The general manager personally attended the client appreciation event, showing the company's value for major clients.
2. 他从普通员工一步步做到了总经理，整整花了二十年的时间。 He worked his way up from ordinary employee to general manager — it took a full twenty years.
3. 新任总经理上台后进行了大刀阔斧的改革，公司业绩明显提升。 After the new GM took office, he implemented sweeping reforms, and company performance improved significantly.

Usage Guide

Context: business, corporate

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 王总经理，您好！(Hello, General Manager Wang!)
• 这件事需要总经理签字。(This matter requires the GM's signature.)

Don't Say

• 我是家里的总经理。(Too formal for home — use 管家的 or just describe the role casually)

Origin & History

Compound of 总 (general, overall), 经 (to manage, classic), and 理 (to govern, principle). Together they denote the general manager who oversees all operations.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Professional