领队

• Pinyin: lǐng duì
• Hanzi breakdown: 领 = 令 (order) + 页 (head, page) — to lead, guide; 队 = 阝 + 人 (group of people)

Meaning

Team leader; delegation head; to lead a group. Refers to the person in charge of guiding a team, delegation, or group on a task or trip.

Used in sports, travel, business, and diplomatic contexts. As a noun, refers to the administrative head of a delegation or team. As a verb, means to lead or head a group. Distinct from 教练, which refers specifically to a training coach.

Examples

1. 此次外访代表团的领队由外交部副部长担任，规格较高。 The head of this overseas delegation is a vice minister of foreign affairs, reflecting its high level.
2. 旅游领队负责协调整个行程安排，确保团员的安全和满意度。 A tour leader is responsible for coordinating the entire itinerary and ensuring the group’s safety and satisfaction.
3. 她在多次国际学术交流活动中担任中国代表团的领队，积累了丰富的外事经验。 She has served many times as the leader of the Chinese delegation at international academic exchanges, building extensive experience in diplomatic work.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, travel, business, diplomacy

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 他担任球队的领队已有多年。(He has been the team manager for many years.)
• 领队负责整支队伍的日常行程安排。(The team leader is responsible for the daily logistics of the entire group.)

Don't Say

• 把领队和教练混用 — 领队 is the administrative head or manager; 教练 is the coach who trains players (Don't confuse 领队 with 教练 — the former handles logistics and management, the latter handles training)

Origin & History

领 (to lead, to guide) + 队 (team, group) — to lead or head a team or group.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal