1.
head; chief; leader
A suffix indicating the person in charge of or leading an organization, department, or group.
〜長 is a productive suffix indicating a leader or head of an organization.
COMMON TITLES WITH 〜長:
COMPANY:
GOVERNMENT:
- 市長 - mayor
- 県知事 - governor (uses 知事)
- 長官 - director-general
EDUCATION:
- 校長 - school principal
- 学長 - university president
- 学部長 - dean
OTHER:
- 会長 - chairman
- 委員長 - committee chair
- 駅長 - station master
- 店長 - store manager
- 機長 - captain (aircraft)
NOTE:
The 〜長 title is often used alone when addressing someone: 部長、これをお願いします。