(ちょう)

ちょう
suffix
head; chief; leader
1. head; chief; leader
A suffix indicating the person in charge of or leading an organization, department, or group.
部長(ぶちょう)昇進(しょうしん)した
I was promoted to department head.
The principal has something to say.
The company president is in a meeting now.

(ちょう) is a productive suffix indicating a leader or head of an organization.

COMMON TITLES WITH 〜(ちょう):

COMPANY:

GOVERNMENT:

  • 市長(しちょう) - mayor
  • 県知事(けんちじ) - governor (uses 知事(ちじ))
  • 長官(ちょうかん) - director-general

EDUCATION:

  • 校長(こうちょう) - school principal
  • 学長(がくちょう) - university president
  • 学部長(がくぶちょう) - dean

OTHER:

  • 会長(かいちょう) - chairman
  • 委員長(いいんちょう) - committee chair
  • 駅長(えきちょう) - station master
  • 店長(てんちょう) - store manager
  • 機長(きちょう) - captain (aircraft)

NOTE:
The 〜(ちょう) title is often used alone when addressing someone: 部長(ぶちょう)、これをお(ねが)いします。