jiāzhǎng

家长

HSK 2Word · NounTraditional家長

head of household; student's parent or guardian

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 8 examples
1.

noun

head of a family or clan (under a patriarchal system)

formal

Refers to the patriarchal figure with authority in a family. This sense is traditional and often used in historical or formal contexts.

Zài在
chuán传
tǒng统
jiā家
tíng庭
zhōng中
 ,
zǔ祖
fù父
tōng通
cháng常
shì是
jiā家
lǐ里
shuō说
yī一
bù不
èr二
de的
jiā家
zhǎng长
 。

In traditional families, the grandfather is usually the unquestioned head of the household.

Zhè这
bù部
xiǎo小
shuō说
miáo描
xiě写
le了
yī一
gè个
fēng封
jiàn建
jiā家
zhǎng长
rú如
hé何
zhǎng掌
kòng控
jiā家
zú族
mìng命
yùn运
 。

This novel depicts how a feudal patriarch controls the family's destiny.

Show 1 more example
Guò过
qù去
de的
jiā家
zhǎng长
quán权
wēi威
hěn很
dà大
 。

In the past, the head of the family had great authority.

2.

noun

parent or guardian of a child; (student's) parent

neutral

The most common modern usage, especially in educational contexts (e.g., parent-teacher meetings).

Xué学
xiào校
lǐ里
míng明
tiān天
kāi开
jiā家
zhǎng长
zuò座
tán谈
huì会
 。

There will be a parent-teacher forum at school tomorrow.

Gè各
wèi位
jiā家
zhǎng长
qǐng请
zhù注
yì意
 ,
míng明
tiān天
xià下
wǔ午
xū需
yào要
jiē接
hái孩
zi子
fàng放
xué学
 。

Attention all parents: you need to pick up your children tomorrow afternoon.

Show 3 more examples
Zhè这
wèi位
xiǎo小
xué学
shēng生
de的
jiā家
zhǎng长
fēi非
cháng常
guān关
xīn心
tā他
de的
xué学
xí习
qíng情
kuàng况
 。

This elementary school student's parents are very concerned about his academic performance.

Zuò作
wéi为
jiā家
zhǎng长
 ,
wǒ我
yǒu有
zé责
rèn任
jiào教
yù育
hǎo好
hái孩
zi子
 。

As a parent, I have the responsibility to educate my child well.

Jiā家
zhǎng长
qiān签
zì字
xū需
yào要
xiě写
zài在
shì试
juàn卷
shàng上
 。

Parent signatures are required on the test paper.