dǒngshìzhǎng: 董事长 - Chairman of the Board, President

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• Summary: A comprehensive guide to understanding 董事长 (dǒngshìzhǎng), the Chinese term for the “Chairman of the Board.” Learn the definition, cultural significance in the Chinese business world, and how this powerful role differs from a Western CEO. This page provides practical example sentences, common mistakes, and related corporate titles to help you navigate business in China with confidence.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dǒngshìzhǎng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: The Chairman of the Board of Directors of a corporation.
• In a Nutshell: “董事长” is the title for the highest-ranking leader of a company's board. This person holds the ultimate strategic authority and power, setting the company's long-term vision. Think of them as the “king” or “queen” of the corporate castle, to whom even the CEO or General Manager reports. It's a title of immense prestige and respect in Chinese business culture.

• 董 (dǒng): To supervise, manage, or direct. This character implies a high level of oversight and control.
• 事 (shì): An affair, a matter, business, or work. It refers to the company's operations and activities.
• 长 (zhǎng): A chief, head, or leader. This character signifies seniority and leadership (note the pronunciation `zhǎng` for “chief” vs. `cháng` for “long”).

Together, 董 (dǒng) 事 (shì) 长 (zhǎng) literally translates to the “chief who supervises the affairs” of the company, perfectly capturing the essence of a board chairman's role.

In Chinese business, hierarchy is not just a structure; it's a core part of the culture. The title 董事长 sits at the very top of this hierarchy and carries significant cultural weight. The key difference from Western corporate structures lies in its relationship with the CEO. In the US, the CEO is often the most visible and powerful figure, driving the company. In China, the 董事长 often wields the true, ultimate power. They are the final decision-maker and strategic visionary. The CEO, often called a 总经理 (zǒngjīnglǐ), is responsible for executing that vision and managing daily operations. This reflects a cultural value placed on the wise, strategic elder or leader (the 董事长) who guides from above, while the capable manager (the 总经理) handles the “doing.” While one person can hold both roles, when they are separate, the 董事长 is unequivocally the supreme leader. Addressing someone as “王董事长 (Wáng Dǒngshìzhǎng)” is a sign of utmost respect for their authority and position.

The term 董事长 is used in formal business contexts. It's not a word you'd use casually.

• Formal Address: When speaking to or about a Chairman, you must use their surname followed by the title. For example, “张董事长 (Zhāng Dǒngshìzhǎng)”. Calling them just “董事长” would be considered abrupt and disrespectful.
• Business Meetings: In a meeting, all eyes are on the 董事长. They often speak last, summarizing the discussion and announcing the final decision. Their word is typically final.
• News and Media: Business news will always refer to the head of a major corporation by this title, e.g., “阿里巴巴前董事长马云” (Alǐbābā qián dǒngshìzhǎng Mǎ Yún) - “Alibaba's former Chairman, Jack Ma.”

The connotation is neutral to positive, always implying power, authority, and high status.

• Example 1:
  • 这位是我们的董事长，李先生。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi shì wǒmen de dǒngshìzhǎng, Lǐ xiānsheng.
  • English: This is our Chairman of the Board, Mr. Li.
  • Analysis: A standard, formal introduction. Note the use of the polite measure word “位 (wèi)” for people.
• Example 2:
  • 公司的重大决策需要经过董事长的批准。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de zhòngdà juécè xūyào jīngguò dǒngshìzhǎng de pīzhǔn.
  • English: Major company decisions require the approval of the Chairman of the Board.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the ultimate authority the title holds within the corporate structure.
• Example 3:
  • 王董事长，关于下个季度的预算，您有什么指示？
  • Pinyin: Wáng dǒngshìzhǎng, guānyú xià ge jìdù de yùsuàn, nín yǒu shénme zhǐshì?
  • English: Chairman Wang, what are your instructions regarding next quarter's budget?
  • Analysis: A clear example of how one would address a chairman directly in a meeting. “您 (nín)” is the formal “you” and “指示 (zhǐshì)” means “instructions” or “directives,” showing deference.
• Example 4:
  • 他从一个普通员工做起，最终成为了公司的董事长。
  • Pinyin: Tā cóng yí ge pǔtōng yuángōng zuòqǐ, zuìzhōng chéngwéi le gōngsī de dǒngshìzhǎng.
  • English: He started as an ordinary employee and eventually became the company's Chairman.
  • Analysis: This sentence illustrates an aspirational career path, showing the high status of the position.
• Example 5:
  • 我们公司，董事长和首席执行官是同一个人。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī, dǒngshìzhǎng hé shǒuxí zhíxíng guān shì tóng yí ge rén.
  • English: In our company, the Chairman and the CEO are the same person.
  • Analysis: This clarifies a common corporate structure where roles can be combined, which is important for learners to know.
• Example 6:
  • 新闻报道了那位董事长的退休消息。
  • Pinyin: Xīnwén bàodào le nà wèi dǒngshìzhǎng de tuìxiū xiāoxi.
  • English: The news reported on that Chairman's retirement.
  • Analysis: A typical usage you would see in the media.
• Example 7:
  • 作为董事长，她对公司的未来有非常清晰的愿景。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi dǒngshìzhǎng, tā duì gōngsī de wèilái yǒu fēicháng qīngxī de yuànjǐng.
  • English: As the Chairwoman, she has a very clear vision for the company's future.
  • Analysis: Shows that the title is gender-neutral. The same term is used for a man or a woman.
• Example 8:
  • 明天下午三点，董事长要和所有部门经理开会。
  • Pinyin: Míngtiān xiàwǔ sān diǎn, dǒngshìzhǎng yào hé suǒyǒu bùmén jīnglǐ kāihuì.
  • English: Tomorrow at 3 PM, the Chairman will have a meeting with all department managers.
  • Analysis: A common sentence used in an office setting to communicate the Chairman's schedule.
• Example 9:
  • 要当上董事长可不是一件容易的事。
  • Pinyin: Yào dāngshàng dǒngshìzhǎng kě búshì yí jiàn róngyì de shì.
  • English: Becoming a Chairman is certainly not an easy thing.
  • Analysis: An informal observation about the difficulty and prestige associated with the role.
• Example 10:
  • 在董事长的带领下，公司取得了巨大的成功。
  • Pinyin: Zài dǒngshìzhǎng de dàilǐng xià, gōngsī qǔdé le jùdà de chénggōng.
  • English: Under the Chairman's leadership, the company achieved tremendous success.
  • Analysis: This phrase “在…的带领下” (zài…de dàilǐng xià - under the leadership of…) is very common when praising a leader.

• 董事长 (dǒngshìzhǎng) vs. 总经理 (zǒngjīnglǐ): This is the most common point of confusion.
  • 董事长 (dǒngshìzhǎng): Chairman. Leads the Board of Directors. Focuses on long-term strategy, vision, and major investments. They are the ultimate boss.
  • 总经理 (zǒngjīnglǐ): General Manager. Often functions as a CEO or COO. Manages day-to-day operations and executes the strategy set by the board and chairman. They report to the board.
  • Incorrect Usage: Saying “The 董事长 is in charge of daily sales targets.” This is wrong; that's the job of the 总经理 or sales director. The 董事长 is concerned with whether the company should enter a new market, not daily metrics.
• 董事长 (dǒngshìzhǎng) vs. 主席 (zhǔxí): Both can be translated as “Chairman,” but their domains are different.
  • 董事长: Specifically for the Chairman of the Board of a for-profit corporation.
  • 主席 (zhǔxí): Used for the chairman of a political party (e.g., 毛主席 Máo Zhǔxí), a committee, a conference, or a non-profit organization.
  • Incorrect Usage: Calling the head of Tencent “马主席 (Mǎ Zhǔxí)”. He is “马化腾董事长 (Mǎ Huàténg Dǒngshìzhǎng)”. Calling the leader of China “习董事长 (Xí Dǒngshìzhǎng)”. He is “习近平主席 (Xí Jìnpíng Zhǔxí)”.

• 总经理 (zǒngjīnglǐ) - General Manager. The executive in charge of daily operations, often equivalent to a CEO/COO.
• 董事会 (dǒngshìhuì) - Board of Directors. The group of people, led by the 董事长, that governs the company.
• 董事 (dǒngshì) - A member of the Board of Directors.
• 首席执行官 (shǒuxí zhíxíng guān) - Chief Executive Officer (CEO). A more modern, direct loan translation for “CEO.” Used in companies with a more Western structure.
• 总裁 (zǒngcái) - President. A very high-level executive title, often interchangeable with CEO or used for heads of large conglomerates or divisions.
• 老板 (lǎobǎn) - Boss. A general and more informal term for the owner or person in charge. A 董事长 is a 老板, but not every 老板 is a 董事长.
• 股东 (gǔdōng) - Shareholder/Stockholder. The owners of the company whom the board represents.
• 法人 (fǎrén) - Legal Representative. The person legally responsible for the company. This is often, but not always, the 董事长.
• 主席 (zhǔxí) - Chairman (non-corporate). The correct title for the head of a political party, committee, or country.