区别辨析chief、head、leader与boss

chief、head、leader与boss这些名词都指“拥有权力或统治权的人”。

chief : 最广泛用词,上可指最高统治者,下可指顶头上司,即可指任何一级的头头。

  • a police chief
    警察局局长
  • A new chief of the security forces has just been appointed.
    刚刚任命了一位新的保安队队长。
  • Can you sign this form for me, chief?
    长官,您能给我在这张表上签字吗?

head : 多指一个机构或团体等的负责人或最高首长。

  • the head of the History department
    历史系主任
  • the head chef
    主厨
  • his first season as head coach
    他作为主教练的第一个赛季。

leader : 指国家、民族、政党、组织等的领导或领袖。强调领导能力、含有能够引导、指导、控制被领导者并获得其支持的意味。

  • a religious leader
    宗教领袖
  • The Russian leader wants to introduce further changes.
    俄罗斯领导人希望进一步推行改革。
  • She was elected as leader of the campaign group.
    她被推举为竞选小组的领导。

(拓展学习:熟词僻义 | 经济学人的 Leaders 栏目是讲各国领导人的吗?

boss : 非正式用词,多作口语用,可指任何负责人,也可指经理、老板或工头。

  • She was the boss of a large international company.
    她曾是一家大型跨国公司的老板。
  • I started up my own business and now I'm my own boss (= I work for myself and no one tells me what to do).
    我开办了公司,现在自己当老板。
  • Who's the boss (= the person who makes all the important decisions) in your house?
    你们家谁做主?