上司

• Pinyin: shàng si
• Hanzi breakdown: 上 = 一 + 卜 (above); 司 = 口 + 一 (manage, administer)

Meaning

Superior; boss; direct supervisor. A person of higher rank in a workplace hierarchy.

Refers to one's immediate or higher-level supervisor. Less formal than 领导 in some contexts; widely used in office settings. Can be used respectfully or neutrally.

Examples

1. 他的上司对他的工作表现给予了高度评价。 His boss gave him high praise for his work performance.
2. 遇到问题时，你应该及时向上司汇报。 When you run into a problem, you should report it to your supervisor promptly.
3. 她与新上司相处得十分融洽。 She gets along very well with her new manager.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, professional

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我需要先征得上司的同意才能做决定。(I need to get my supervisor's approval before making a decision.)
• 他不敢当面反驳上司的意见。(He did not dare to contradict his boss's opinion to his face.)

Don't Say

• 用上司称呼自己的老板当面 — address them directly by title (经理/总监) rather than saying 上司 to their face

Origin & History

上 (above/superior) + 司 (manage/oversee) — one who oversees from above

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal