部长

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 他被任命为外交部部长。▶ —
   He was appointed minister of foreign affairs.
2. 销售部部长正在开会。▶ —
   The head of the sales department is in a meeting.

Collocations

Mnemonic

部 bù "department/ministry" + 长 zhǎng "chief": the head of a 部. ① a government minister (教育部部长) ② a department head in a company. 长 is a multi-reading character: zhǎng "chief" here, cháng "long" in 长短. Note the cognate often means a company-level head, whereas Chinese 部长 leans toward "minister".

Related

Quick check

1. How is 长 read and what does it mean in 部长?

   • zhǎng (chief)
   • cháng (long)
   • zhāng (to spread)
   • chǎng (field)