管辖

• Pinyin: guǎn xiá
• Hanzi breakdown: 管 = 竹 + 官 (oversee); 辖 = 车 + 害 (linchpin keeping a wheel in place — controlling)

Meaning

To have jurisdiction over; to administer; to govern. Refers to the legal or administrative authority to oversee and control a territory, organisation, or person.

Primarily used in legal, administrative, and governmental contexts. Describes the scope of authority of courts, government bodies, or administrative units. Key in determining which court or authority handles a case (管辖权 — jurisdiction).

Examples

1. 该案件涉及跨省经营，双方对管辖权存在争议。 Because the case involves business across provincial lines, the two sides disagree over which court has jurisdiction.
2. 这片海域历史上一直处于该国的管辖范围之内。 Historically, this sea area has always been within that country’s jurisdiction.
3. 地方政府依法管辖本行政区域内的各类社会事务。 Local governments have legal authority over all kinds of public affairs within their administrative regions.

Usage Guide

Context: law, government, administration

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 此案应由犯罪地所在的人民法院管辖。(This case should be under the jurisdiction of the people's court in the place where the crime occurred.)
• 该机构管辖范围内的企业须每年提交合规报告。(Enterprises within the jurisdiction of this institution must submit annual compliance reports.)

Don't Say

• 老师管辖着全班同学 — use 管理 or 负责 for teachers supervising students; 管辖 specifically denotes legal/official jurisdiction

Origin & History

管 (to oversee, pipe/conduit of authority) + 辖 (to control, to have under one's authority). Together conveys the idea of channelling authority to govern.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal