职权

• Pinyin: zhí quán
• Hanzi breakdown: 职 = 耳 + 只 (ear + indicator — listening for duties); 权 = 木 + 又 (wooden balance — power to weigh matters)

Meaning

Authority; powers and duties attached to a position. The official scope of one's responsibility and decision-making power.

A formal administrative term. 职权范围 (scope of authority), 越权 (exceeding one's authority), 滥用职权 (abuse of power). Important in governance, corporate management, and legal contexts.

Examples

1. 调查此案不在他的职权范围之内，需要上级批准。 Investigating this case is outside his authority and requires approval from a superior.
2. 该官员因滥用职权谋取私利被撤职查办。 The official was removed from office and investigated for abusing his power for personal gain.
3. 董事会明确划分了各部门负责人的职权与责任。 The board of directors clearly defined each department head’s authority and responsibilities.

Usage Guide

Context: government, corporate, legal

Tone: official

Do Say

• 部门主管应在职权范围内独立作出决策。(Department heads should make decisions independently within the scope of their authority.)
• 任何公职人员都不得超越职权行事。(No public official may act beyond their authority.)

Don't Say

• 我在家里有很大职权 — 职权 is for formal/official positions; for domestic authority, use 话语权 or just 权力

Origin & History

职 (position/duty) + 权 (power/authority)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal