管 guǎn — to take care (of); to control; to manage; to be in charge of; to look after; to run
这件事不归我管。Zhè jiàn shì bù guī wǒ guǎn.This matter is not my responsibility.
Common words: 管理 (guǎn lǐ)、不管 (bù guǎn)、尽管 (jǐn guǎn)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "to manage"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "to manage", including 管 (guǎn), 治 (zhì), 干 (gān / gàn), 办 (bàn), 弄 (nòng / lòng). Study pinyin, English meanings…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "to manage" covers 5 different Chinese characters — 管 (guǎn), 治 (zhì), 干 (gān / gàn), 办 (bàn), 弄 (nòng / lòng) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 5 characters do not share a sound — their readings span guǎn, zhì, gān, gàn, bàn, nòng, and more — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 管 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 管 guǎnto take care (of); to control; to manage; to be in charge of; to look after; to runUseful words: 管理, 不管
- 治 zhìto rule; to govern; to manage; to control; to harness (a river); cureUseful words: 治疗, 政治
- 干 gān / gàndry; to concern; shield; to work; to do; to manageUseful words: 干净, 干什么
- 办 bànto do; to manage; to handle; to go about; to run; to set upUseful words: 办法, 办公室
- 弄 nòng / lònglane; alley; to do; to manage; to handle; to play withUseful words: 玩弄, 卖弄
Common words for these 5 "to manage" characters
Anchor each of these 5 characters in a word you can picture — start with 管 (guǎn) — so "to manage" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
管理guǎn lǐto supervise; to manage; to administer; management不管bù guǎnnot to be concerned; regardless of; no matter尽管jǐn guǎndespite; although; even though; in spite of治疗zhì liáoto treat (an illness); medical treatment; therapy政治zhèng zhìpolitics; political治安zhì ānlaw and order; public security干净gān jìngclean; neat干什么gàn shén mewhat are you doing?; what's he up to?干杯gān bēito drink a toast; Cheers! (proposing a toast); Here's to you!; Bottoms up!办法bàn fǎway of handling sth; means; measure; (practical) solution to a problem
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 5 ways to say "to manage".
治 zhì — to rule; to govern; to manage; to control; to harness (a river); cure
医生治好了他的病。Yī shēng zhì hǎo le tā de bìng.The doctor cured his illness.
Common words: 治疗 (zhì liáo)、政治 (zhèng zhì)、治安 (zhì ān)
干 gān / gàn — dry; to concern; shield; to work; to do; to manage
衣服已经晒干了。Yī fu yǐ jīng shài gān le.The clothes have already dried.
Common words: 干净 (gān jìng)、干什么 (gàn shén me)、干杯 (gān bēi)
办 bàn — to do; to manage; to handle; to go about; to run; to set up
这件事我来办。Zhè jiàn shì wǒ lái bàn.I will handle this matter.
Common words: 办法 (bàn fǎ)、办公室 (bàn gōng shì)、怎么办 (zěn me bàn)
弄 nòng / lòng — lane; alley; to do; to manage; to handle; to play with
别把房间弄乱了。Bié bǎ fáng jiān nòng luàn le.Do not make a mess of the room.
Common words: 玩弄 (wán nòng)、卖弄 (mài nong)、嘲弄 (cháo nòng)
All 5 characters
Open 管、治、干 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.