司
sī
to take charge of
surname Si; to manage; department (under a ministry)
Authority over the mouth (口) = to take charge, manage
The mouth (口) here suggests giving orders or directives — whoever speaks with authority manages and governs. The upper portion of 司 is an ancient hand or hook shape indicating control, framing the idea of one who commands.
他在外交部礼宾司工作。
tā zài wài jiāo bù lǐ bīn sī gōng zuò。
He works in the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
这个部门专门司管文件的审批工作。
zhè ge bù mén zhuān mén sī guǎn wén jiàn de shěn pī gōng zuò。
This department is specifically in charge of managing the approval of documents.
Words with 司
百货公司
bǎi huò gōng sī
department store
美国航空公司
měi guó háng kōng gōng sī
American Airlines
阿司匹林
ā sī pǐ lín
(loanword) aspirin
司法
sī fǎ
judicial
司职
sī zhí
to serve in the role of
苹果公司
píng guǒ gōng sī
Apple Inc.
司马懿
sī mǎ yì
Sima Yi (179-251), warlord under Cao Cao and subsequently founder of the Jin dynasty
律政司
lǜ zhèng sī
Department of Justice (Hong Kong)
司导
sī dǎo
driver-guide
通用汽车公司
tōng yòng qì chē gōng sī
General Motors
阴司
yīn sī
hell
开司米
kāi sī mǐ
(loanword) cashmere