Definitions

(verb) to supervise; to oversee
(noun) supervisor; superintendent

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "督" structurally integrates the phonetic element "叔" with the semantic component "目", meaning eye, to originally denote visual inspection or vigilant oversight. Its etymology consistently aligns with authority and supervision, as seen in early historical contexts where it referred to military commanders or officials tasked with monitoring and directing activities. Over time, the term's application expanded into administrative and managerial domains, yet it retained this core concept of directed scrutiny, which continues in modern compounds like "监督" for supervision and "督察" for inspector, reflecting an enduring emphasis on regulated observation and control.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

妈妈促我写作业。

Māma dūcù wǒ xiě zuòyè.

Mom urges me to do my homework.

老师监学生考试。

Lǎoshī jiāndū xuéshēng kǎoshì.

The teacher supervises the students during the exam.

访问了那个城市。

Zǒngdū fǎngwèn le nàgè chéngshì.

The governor visited that city.

专家来导我们的工作。

Zhuānjiā lái dūdǎo wǒmen de gōngzuò.

Experts came to guide and supervise our work.

公司派专人监项目进度。

Gōngsī pài zhuān rén jiāndū xiàngmù jìndù.

The company assigned a specialist to supervise the project progress.

经理亲自战新产品的发布。

Jīnglǐ qīnzì dūzhàn xīn chǎnpǐn de fābù.

The manager personally supervised the launch of the new product.

由于监不力,工程出现了问题。

Yóuyú jiāndū bù lì, gōngchéng chūxiàn le wèntí.

Due to inadequate supervision, problems arose in the project.

政府设立独立机构以监公共资金的使用。

Zhèngfǔ shèlì dúlì jīgòu yǐ jiāndū gōnggòng zījīn de shǐyòng.

The government established an independent agency to supervise the use of public funds.