Chinese word

首相

Pronunciation

Pinyinshǒu xiàng

Meaning

  • nounprime minister

Example

首相今天要发表演讲。shǒu xiàng jīn tiān yào fā biǎo yán jiǎng

The prime minister is giving a speech today.

Illustration for 首相 (prime minister)

More examples

首相率团出访后接受了媒体采访。shǒu xiàng lǜ tuán chū fǎng hòu jiē shòu le méi tǐ cái fǎng

After leading a delegation abroad, the prime minister was interviewed by the media.

Core concept

The cabinet's leading official, turning government plans into national action and speaking for the administration.

Common phrases

  • 首相发表声明shǒu xiàng fā biǎo shēng míng

    issue a statement

  • 首相率团访问shǒu xiàng lǜ tuán fǎng wèn

    lead a delegation on a visit

  • 在首相任期内zài shǒu xiàng rèn qī nèi

    during the prime minister's term

Similar words

总理zóng lǐ: The official who directs the cabinet and handles the government's day-to-day administration.
总统zóng tǒng: The national leader who serves as head of state and represents the country.

Definition in Chinese

国家或政府中领导内阁、负责制定与执行行政政策并代表政府对外的最高级别行政首长。guó jiā huò zhèng fǔ zhōng líng dǎo nèi gé fù zé zhì dìng yǔ zhí xíng xíng zhèng zhèng cè bìng dài biǎo zhèng fǔ duì wài de zuì gāo jí bié xíng zhèng shóu zhǎng

Word origin

The compound places 首 (shǒu, "head") before 相 (xiàng, "minister"), showing a minister who stands at the front of government.

Usage tips

  • When the country is not already clear, Chinese news often puts its name before the title so the government being discussed is immediately identifiable.

Opposites

Related words

  • 首相制shǒu xiàng zhìprime ministerial systemnoun

Word lists with this word