带头人

• Pinyin: dài tóu rén
• Hanzi breakdown: 带 = to lead; 头 = head; 人 = person

Meaning

Leader; pioneer; standard-bearer. A noun referring to a person who leads, initiates, or sets the example for others.

Often used to describe grassroots leaders, industry pioneers, or people who spearhead movements. More colloquial than 领导者 or 先驱, with a sense of hands-on, leading-by-example leadership.

Examples

1. 她是村里脱贫致富的带头人，带领大家种起了果树。 She's the village's poverty-alleviation pioneer who led everyone in planting fruit trees.
2. 每个成功的团队背后都有一个优秀的带头人。 Behind every successful team is an excellent leader.
3. 作为技术创新的带头人，他获得了国家科技进步奖。 As a pioneer in technological innovation, he received the National Science and Technology Progress Award.

Usage Guide

Context: community, business, politics

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 他是我们项目的带头人。(He's the leader of our project.)
• 我们需要一个带头人。(We need someone to take the lead.)

Don't Say

• 总统是带头人 (带头人 has a grassroots or practical feel — use 领导人 or 元首 for heads of state)

Origin & History

Compound of 带头 (to take the lead) + 人 (person). Meaning someone who leads or pioneers.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal