一把手

yībǎshǒu

noun HSK 7 #27,248

Meanings

1 the top boss; number one person in charge
2 the head of an organization

Characters

measure word; handle

Literally 'number one hand' — the person who holds the reins. By extension, 二把手 (èrbǎshǒu) is the second-in-command.

Examples

他是这个公司的一把手。

Tā shì zhège gōngsī de yībǎshǒu.

He's the top boss of this company.

一把手说了算。

Yībǎshǒu shuō le suàn.

The boss has the final say.

这件事需要一把手亲自批准。

Zhè jiàn shì xūyào yībǎshǒu qīnzì pīzhǔn.

This matter needs the top leader's personal approval.

Tips

register

一把手 is informal but widely used in both casual and political contexts. In Chinese government and party structures, 一把手 refers to the highest-ranking official of a department, city, or province — e.g. the Party Secretary. The numbered system extends: 二把手 (second-in-command), 三把手 (third).

Stroke Order

一 yī

把 bǎ

手 shǒu