掌管

• Pinyin: zhǎng guǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 掌 = 尚 + 手 (palm/control); 管 = 竹 + 官 (to manage)

Meaning

To be in charge of; to control; to administer. To have authority over and manage something.

Implies holding power and responsibility. Used for managing organizations, finances, or domains. Common objects: 财务 (finances), 事务 (affairs), 大权 (major power). More formal than 管理.

Examples

1. 这家企业由他的儿子掌管，经营得有声有色。 This company is run by his son, and it’s doing very well.
2. 在古代，皇后掌管后宫的一切事务。 In ancient times, the empress was in charge of all affairs within the imperial harem.
3. 新任CEO上任后将掌管公司的战略决策。 After the new CEO takes office, they will oversee the company’s strategic decisions.

Usage Guide

Context: business, administration, authority

Tone: authoritative

Do Say

• 父亲退休后，长子开始掌管家族企业的日常运营。(After the father retired, the eldest son began to manage the daily operations of the family business.)
• 财务总监掌管着公司所有的资金流动和预算分配。(The CFO controls all of the company's cash flow and budget allocation.)

Don't Say

• 掌管做饭 — 掌管 is for managing authority/domains; for cooking duties use 负责 or 主管

Origin & History

掌 (palm/to control) + 管 (to manage)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal