dai6 jat1 baa2 sau2第一把手

Jyutpingdai6 jat1 baa2 sau2

Yaledaih yāt bá sáu

Definition

First in command; the top leader of an organization.

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How it's used

This term is borrowed from the concept of a handle on a tool, where the first handle represents the primary point of control. It is often used in business or organizational contexts to refer to the person with the most authority. While it sounds slightly formal or journalistic, it is frequently used in casual conversation to describe power dynamics.

Examples

keoi5佢hai6係ne1呢gaan1間gung1公si1司ge3嘅dai6第jat1一baa2把sau2手。

He is the first in command of this company.

bin1邊go3個sin1先hai6係ne1呢dou6度ge3嘅dai6第jat1一baa2把sau2手aa4呀？

Who is actually the first in command here?

Common phrases

zou6做dai6第jat1一baa2把sau2手

to serve as the first in command

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with the Mandarin term 一把手, which is used identically. However, in Cantonese, it is important to use the Cantonese pronunciation for the characters, as using a Mandarin accent can make the phrase sound unnatural in a local context.