head of state

IPA/ˌhed əv ˈsteɪt/
IPA/ˌhed əv ˈsteɪt/

head of state — 名詞

1. the person who officially represents a country at formal events and ceremonies,

1.名詞B2
釋義

元首

國家名義上的最高代表

the person who officially represents a country at formal events and ceremonies, and who may have only symbolic political power rather than real governing authority — for example, a constitutional monarch like the King of the United Kingdom, or a president with largely ceremonial duties.

例句

The Swedish king is head of state but takes no part in daily politics.

瑞典國王是國家元首，但不參與日常政治事務。

head of state + but [limited power]

Manuela met with visiting heads of state at the formal banquet in the palace.

Manuela 在宮殿的正式宴會上會見了來訪的各國元首。

visiting heads of state (plural form)

同義詞
  • sovereign

    used specifically for a monarch; more formal and historical

  • figurehead

    emphasises the lack of real power; often slightly negative

反義詞

文法句型

head of state + verb (singular/plural)

用法筆記

This sense often refers to monarchs or presidents in parliamentary systems where real governing power belongs to a separate head of government (e.g. a prime minister). The plural form is heads of state.

常見錯誤

❌The queen is the head of the state with full governing power.
✅The queen is the head of state, but the prime minister runs the government.
💡'head of state' in this sense implies a ceremonial role, not executive power.
❌Heads of states attended the summit.
✅Heads of state attended the summit.
💡The plural of 'head of state' is 'heads of state', not 'heads of states'.

2. the most important political leader of a country, who has real governing power s

2.名詞B1
釋義

國家領袖

掌握實權的國家領導人

the most important political leader of a country, who has real governing power such as making decisions about laws, foreign policy, and national security — for example, the US President or the President of France.

例句

Cyrus was sworn in as the youngest head of state in the region's modern history.

Cyrus 宣誓就職，成為該地區近代史上最年輕的國家領袖。

sworn in as head of state

The summit brought together more than thirty heads of state to discuss climate change.

這場高峰會匯集了三十多位國家領袖，共同討論氣候變遷議題。

同義詞
  • leader

    broader and less formal; can refer to any level of leadership

  • ruler

    stronger connotation of control; can sound undemocratic

  • president

    specific to elected executive heads; not used for monarchs

文法句型

head of state + verb (singular/plural)

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (CEREMONIAL LEADER): this sense refers to a leader with actual governing power. In many countries the head of state is the same person as the head of government (e.g. the US President), but in others the two roles are separate.

常見錯誤

❌The head of state signed the treaty, so it must be approved by the prime minister.' (confusing ceremonial vs executive roles)
✅The president, who is both head of state and head of government, signed the treaty.
💡Use sense 1 only when the role is primarily ceremonial; use sense 2 when the leader has real decision-making power.