ผู้บังคับบัญชา
superior
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 superior、commanding officer
Refers to a person who has formal authority to direct and supervise subordinates within an organization.
superior、commanding officer
A person formally authorized to give orders to and supervise lower-ranking members of an organization.
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รายงานผู้บังคับบัญชา raayŋaan phûu baŋkhápbanchaa report to one's superior รายงานผู้บังคับบัญชา details
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ผู้บังคับบัญชาควรรับฟังความคิดเห็นของผู้ใต้บังคับบัญชา phûu baŋkhápbanchaa khuan rápfaŋ khwaamkhíthěn khɔ̌ɔŋ phûu tâay baŋkhápbanchaa Superiors should listen to the opinions of their subordinates. ผู้บังคับบัญชาควรรับฟังความคิดเห็นของผู้ใต้บังคับบัญชา details
Learning notes
Explanation
ผู้บังคับบัญชา does not simply mean someone older or more experienced. It specifically refers to someone who has organizational authority to direct and supervise subordinates. It is formed from ผู้ (“a person who”) and บังคับบัญชา (“to command or direct”), giving the overall sense of “a person who exercises command.” It can be used in companies, but it is especially common in government, military, police, administrative, and regulatory contexts. Its important counterpart is ผู้ใต้บังคับบัญชา, meaning “subordinate.” The usual classifier for counting such people is คน.
Usage
Commonly used when discussing reporting lines or chains of command in workplaces, government agencies, the military, and the police. It also appears frequently in regulations, official notices, and administrative documents.
Caution
In casual workplace conversation, หัวหน้า is often more natural. เจ้านาย can also mean “boss,” but it does not focus as specifically on a formal chain of authority as ผู้บังคับบัญชา does.
Differences from similar words
1 superior synonyms
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ผู้บัญชาการ usually refers to the commander or chief of a particular force or agency. ผู้บังคับบัญชา is broader and can refer to any superior who has formal authority over subordinates.
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หัวหน้า is the ordinary word for a boss, supervisor, or person in charge. ผู้บังคับบัญชา is more formal and emphasizes officially recognized authority over subordinates.