Chinese word

总理

Pronunciation

Pinyinzǒng lǐ

Meaning

  • nounprime minister

Example

昨天总理在电视上发表了讲话。zuó tiān zóng lǐ zài diàn shì shàng fā biǎo le jiǎng huà

Yesterday, the prime minister gave a speech on TV.

Illustration for 总理 (prime minister)

More examples

很多国家的总理负责经济和外交事务。hěn duō guó jiā de zóng lǐ fù zé jīng jì hé wài jiāo shì wù

Many countries' prime ministers are responsible for economic and diplomatic affairs.

Core concept

The head of the cabinet who brings the government's work into one policy direction and presents major policies publicly.

Common phrases

  • 总理发表讲话zóng lǐ fà biǎo jiǎng huà

    prime minister gives a speech

  • 与总理会见yǔ zóng lǐ huì jiàn

    meet with the prime minister

  • 当上总理dāng shàng zóng lǐ

    become prime minister

Similar words

总统zóng tǒng: A country's head of state who represents it in diplomacy and other major affairs.
首相shǒu xiàng: A cabinet leader who directs the government's everyday administrative work.

Definition in Chinese

负责统筹国家行政、代表政府对内对外发表重要政策的内阁首脑，一般指首相或总理大臣。fù zé tǒng chóu guó jiā xíng zhèng dài biǎo zhèng fǔ duì nèi duì wài fā biǎo zhòng yào zhèng cè de nèi gé shóu nǎo yì bān zhǐ shǒu xiàng huò zóng lǐ dà chén

Word origin

总理 (zǒnglǐ, "prime minister") combines 总 (zǒng, "overall") + 理 (lǐ, "manage"), a compact description of someone who organizes affairs on an overall level.

Usage tips

  • The English word "minister" can suggest a single department, but in "prime minister" the first word marks the leader of the ministers, which matches the broad coordinating role of this Chinese title.

Related words

  • 代理总理dài lǐ zóng lǐacting prime ministernoun
  • 助理总理zhù lǐ zóng lǐassistant prime ministernoun
  • 前任总理qián rèn zóng lǐformer prime ministernoun

Word lists with this word