How do you use "boss" in a sentence?

I need to ask my boss for permission to take Friday off. She's been the boss of this department for over ten years. Don't try to boss me around—I can make my own decisions.

boss

Q: What does "boss" mean?

A person who is in charge of workers or an organisation A boss is someone with authority over employees, responsible for giving instructions, making decisions, and managing work. The term can range from informal to professional contexts, and may also be used as a verb meaning to give orders. In British English, it's commonly used in workplace settings.

Vocabulary Word BritishAmerican ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: A person who is in charge of workers or an organisation

老板，上司，主管

jefe, patrón, superior

上司、ボス、経営者

상사, 보스, 경영자

A boss is someone with authority over employees, responsible for giving instructions, making decisions, and managing work. The term can range from informal to professional contexts, and may also be used as a verb meaning to give orders. In British English, it's commonly used in workplace settings.

boss是指对员工有管理权的人，负责发出指令、做出决策和管理工作。这个词可用于从非正式到专业的各种场合，也可用作动词，意思是发号施令。

Un boss es alguien con autoridad sobre los empleados, responsable de dar instrucciones, tomar decisiones y gestionar el trabajo. El término puede usarse desde contextos informales hasta profesionales, y también puede usarse como verbo para dar órdenes.

bossは従業員に対して権限を持つ人で、指示を出し、決定を下し、仕事を管理する責任があります。この用語はカジュアルからプロフェッショナルな場面まで使われ、命令するという意味の動詞としても使われます。

Boss는 직원들에 대한 권한을 가지고 지시를 내리고, 결정을 하며, 업무를 관리하는 책임을 맡은 사람입니다. 비격식적인 상황에서 전문적인 상황까지 폭넓게 사용되며, 명령을 내린다는 의미의 동사로도 쓰입니다. 영국 영어에서는 직장 환경에서 흔히 사용됩니다.

Examples

I need to ask my boss for permission to take Friday off.
我需要问老板能不能周五请假。
Necesito pedir permiso a mi jefe para tomarme el viernes libre.
金曜日に休みを取る許可を上司にもらわないといけません。
금요일에 쉬려면 상사에게 허락을 받아야 합니다.
She's been the boss of this department for over ten years.
她担任这个部门的主管已经超过十年了。
Ella ha sido la jefa de este departamento durante más de diez años.
彼女はこの部署のボスを10年以上務めています。
그녀는 이 부서의 보스를 10년 넘게 맡고 있습니다.
Don't try to boss me around—I can make my own decisions.
别对我指手画脚——我能自己做决定。
No intentes mandarme—puedo tomar mis propias decisiones.
私に偉そうに命令しないで—自分で決められます。
나한테 이래라저래라 하지 마세요—스스로 결정할 수 있습니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: general

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Dutch 'baas' meaning 'master, foreman'. Brought to America by Dutch colonists in New York (formerly New Amsterdam). Originally informal, it gradually replaced 'master' in American workplaces.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Story & Trivia

From Dutch 'baas' meaning master, brought to America by Dutch settlers in New York. Originally used by workers to avoid the word 'master' which had slavery connotations.