经理
manager
jīnglǐ
What does 经理 mean?
经理 (jīnglǐ) is the standard noun for 'manager' in a business context — the person who runs a store, department, hotel, or company branch. Like English 'manager,' it covers everything from a small shop owner to a corporate department head, and the exact rank depends on context: 总经理 (zǒngjīnglǐ) is the general manager / CEO of a Chinese company, 副经理 (fùjīnglǐ) is deputy manager, 部门经理 (bùmén jīnglǐ) is department manager. As a title, 经理 follows the surname: 李经理 = Manager Li, 王经理好 = Hello, Manager Wang.
It's the polite default when you don't know someone's exact role in a business meeting. Note that 经理 is the title, not the verb 'to manage'; for that, use 管理 (guǎnlǐ).
Note: Neutral, used in any business setting. As a title, it goes after a surname: 王经理 = Manager Wang. Addressing someone as 经理 alone (no surname) is also normal in service contexts ('Manager,' could you come over?).
Character breakdown
to manage; pass through; classic
to put in order; reason; principle
Memory hook: 经 ('manage / run') + 理 ('put in order') — the person who runs things and keeps them in order.
Measure word for 经理
Example sentences
我们公司有一位新经理。
Wǒmen gōngsī yǒu yí wèi xīn jīnglǐ.
Our company has a new manager.
neutral
王经理在开会。
Wáng jīnglǐ zài kāihuì.
Manager Wang is in a meeting.
spoken
我想跟你们的经理说话。
Wǒ xiǎng gēn nǐmen de jīnglǐ shuōhuà.
I'd like to speak with your manager.
spoken
他是这家酒店的经理。
Tā shì zhè jiā jiǔdiàn de jīnglǐ.
He is the manager of this hotel.
neutral
经理明天来上班。
Jīnglǐ míngtiān lái shàngbān.
The manager will come to work tomorrow.
neutral
Common phrases with 经理
Synonyms
老板 means 'boss / owner' — used for the person who owns the business or your direct boss. 经理 is a formal title for a hired manager. A small shop's owner is 老板; a department head at a company is 经理.
主管 means 'supervisor / person in charge (of a specific area).' Often a level below 经理, focused on one team or function. 经理 manages a larger unit.
领导 means 'leader / leadership' — a general term for anyone above you in a Chinese org. 经理 is a specific job title; 领导
Don't confuse 经理 with
管理 is the verb 'to manage' or the noun 'management (as a field).' 经理 is the person. 经理在管理公司 = The manager is managing the company.
经过 means 'to pass through.' Same 经 but different meaning — 经理 is a noun for a person, not a verb.
助理 means 'assistant.' Same 理 character but completely different role. 经理的助理 = the manager's assistant.
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