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二把手 (èr bǎ shǒu) — second-in-command, deputy leader

Definition

Literally 'second handle', 二把手 is the number-two person in an organization — the deputy or second-in-command under the leader (一把手). It implies real authority over daily operations, not just an assistant.

noun
second-in-commanddeputy leader
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 二把手，。
    Tā shì gōng sī de èr bǎ shǒu, fù zé rì cháng guǎn lǐ.
    He is the company's second-in-command, responsible for daily management.
  • 二把手，。
    Zhè wèi èr bǎ shǒu hěn yǒu jīng yàn, dà jiā dōu xìn rèn tā.
    This deputy leader is very experienced; everyone trusts him.
  • ，二把手。
    Lǎo zhāng tuì xiū hòu, èr bǎ shǒu jiē tì le tā de wèi zhì.
    After Old Zhang retired, the second-in-command took over his position.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

二èrsecond
把手person in charge
把bǎhold手shǒuperson
偏正Modifier + head

The 二 'second' and 把手 'person in charge' combine to name the deputy.

Characters in this word

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

二 is drawn as two parallel strokes, where the number of strokes shows the amount.

Open 二 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
巴
巴bā把bǎ
Same sound today

把 combines 扌, a hand, with 巴 for its sound.

Open 把 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

手 draws a five-fingered human hand: the top line is a bent middle finger, and the horizontal lines show the other four fingers.

Open 手 →
Appears in
ManagementProfessions & Jobs

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