Chinese word

骨干

Pronunciation

Pinyingǔ gàn

Meaning

  • nounkey member

Example

这些项目由几个骨干负责。zhè xiē xiàng mù yóu jǐ gè gǔ gàn fù zé

These projects are handled by several key members.

Illustration for 骨干 (key member)

More examples

在关键时刻，骨干人员挺身而出。zài guān jiàn shí kè gǔ gàn rén yuán tǐng shēn ér chū

At a critical moment, the key personnel stepped forward.

Core concept

The central support that holds a larger group, project, or system together and keeps it moving.

Common phrases

  • 担任骨干dān rèn gǔ gàn

    serve as a key member

  • 骨干队伍gǔ gàn duì wǔ

    core team

  • 骨干人员gǔ gàn rén yuán

    key personnel

Similar words

支柱zhī zhù: A person or element that provides essential support for an organization, project, or system.
主力zhǔ lì: The main people responsible for carrying out an activity's central work.
中坚力量zhōng jiān lì liàng: The core people who provide an organization's foundation and support its work.
领军人物lǐng jūn rén wù: An important leader who guides a group or field.

Definition in Chinese

指对组织、项目或系统整体运作至关重要、起支撑或带动作用的主要成员或关键要素。zhǐ duì zǔ zhī xiàng mù huò xì tǒng zhéng tǐ yùn zuò zhì guān zhòng yào qǐ zhī chēng huò dài dòng zuò yòng de zhǔ yào chéng yuán huò guān jiàn yào sù

Word origin

The compounds 骨 (gǔ, "bone") + 干 (gàn, "trunk") evoke the parts that hold a body or tree together, leading to the sense of a central person or element in a functioning whole.

Usage tips

  • When the word refers to people in an organization or project, it highlights their practical contribution to keeping the work moving rather than their official job title.

Other meanings

  • mainstaynoun
  • backbonenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word