Meaning and Usage
The term "掌舵" literally means "to hold the helm" or "to steer a ship." It is often used metaphorically to describe someone who is in charge of leading or managing an organization, project, or team. When someone "掌舵," they are responsible for guiding the direction and making key decisions.
Common Contexts
- Literal: Refers to the physical act of steering a ship or boat.
- Metaphorical: Used to describe leadership roles, such as a company leader, project manager, or team captain.
Collocations and Patterns
- 掌舵人 (zhǎngduò rén): the person steering or leading
- 掌舵公司/团队 (zhǎngduò gōngsī/tuánduì): to lead a company/team
- 稳稳地掌舵 (wěnwěn de zhǎngduò): to steer steadily, implying stable leadership
Usage Notes
"掌舵" carries a tone of responsibility and control. It is more formal and often used in written or formal spoken Chinese. Avoid confusing it with general verbs for "lead" like "领导"; "掌舵" emphasizes the guiding and controlling aspect, similar to a helmsman.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "掌舵" with "掌控" (to control) or "领导" (to lead). While related, "掌舵" specifically implies steering or guiding direction, often with a metaphorical sense of leadership.