Chinese word

指挥

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhǐ huī

Meaning

  • verbconduct

Example

他在排练中指挥乐队。tā zài pái liàn zhōng zhǐ huī yuè duì

He conducts the band during rehearsal.

Illustration for 指挥 (conduct)

More examples

交警在路口指挥交通。jiāo jǐng zài lù kǒu zhǐ huī jiāo tōng

At the intersection, the traffic police direct traffic.

Core concept

Hands, voice, or signals turn many separate actions into one coordinated performance.

Common phrases

  • 指挥乐队zhǐ huī yuè duì

    conduct a band

  • 指挥交通zhǐ huī jiāo tōng

    direct traffic

  • 指挥会议zhǐ huī huì yì

    chair a meeting

Similar words

指导zhí dǎo: Give expert guidance and practical advice that helps someone perform a task better.
带领dài lǐng: Lead people as they move forward or take action together.

Definition in Chinese

用手势或言语发出指示，使多人或集体按一定节奏或程序行动。yòng shǒu shì huò yán yǔ fā chū zhǐ shì shǐ duō rén huò jí tǐ àn yí dìng jié zòu huò chéng xù xíng dòng

Word origin

The two hand radicals in 指挥 (zhǐhuī, "conduct or command") reflect 指 (zhǐ, "point") + 挥 (huī, "wave"), which suggests guiding a group through gestures before extending to spoken direction.

Usage tips

  • 指挥 (zhǐhuī, "conduct or command") usually describes directing a group, so it can sound too authoritative for a casual favor; everyday requests use a simpler request expression instead.

Other meanings

  • conductornoun
  • commandverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 指挥者zhǐ huī zhěconductornoun
  • 指挥权zhǐ huī quáncommand authoritynoun
  • 指挥官zhǐ huī guāncommandernoun

Word lists with this word