校长 — meaning in English: principal

xiàozhǎng · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for chancellor

校长

xiàozhǎng

声明

shēngmíng

战斗

zhàndòu

病房

bìngfáng

床上

chuángshàng

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formal common

Usage

Native speakers commonly use the word 校长 (xiàozhǎng) in educational settings, particularly in formal discussions about school leadership. For instance, a parent might inquire about the 校长 during a school meeting, or students might discuss the 校长's policies affecting their education.

Synonyms & nuances

Another term for principal is 负责人 (fùzérén), which means 'person in charge.' However, 负责人 can refer to leaders in various contexts, while 校长 specifically denotes a school principal. Use 校长 when discussing educational leadership to maintain clarity.

Culture

The term 校长 (xiàozhǎng) is derived from the characters 校 (xiào), meaning 'school,' and 长 (zhǎng), meaning 'leader' or 'chief.' This reflects the traditional view of the principal as the guiding force of a school community. In Chinese culture, the role of the 校长 is often associated with authority and respect, as they not only oversee academic matters but also the moral education of students.

FAQ

Q.What does 校长 mean in English?

校长 translates to 'principal' in English and refers to the head of a school. This role encompasses both administrative and educational responsibilities.

Q.How do you address a 校长 in Mandarin?

In Mandarin, you would typically address a 校长 as '校长' followed by their surname. For example, if their surname is Wang, you would say '王校长' (Wáng xiàozhǎng).

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 校长?

A common mistake is to use 校长 in informal contexts, where it may sound overly formal. In casual conversations, it's better to simply refer to a principal as 老师 (lǎoshī), meaning 'teacher,' especially among students.

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