‘班长’ (bān zhǎng) literally means ‘class leader’ — ‘班’ (bān) refers to a class or cohort of students, and ‘长’ (zhǎng) means ‘leader’ or ‘head’. It is a noun used in Chinese schools to denote the student elected or appointed to represent and assist with administrative tasks for their class — such as collecting assignments, relaying messages between teachers and classmates, or helping maintain classroom order.

The role is typically held by a responsible, organized student and carries informal authority and respect. While not an official government or corporate title, ‘班长’ is widely understood across all levels of Chinese education — from elementary school through university. It’s distinct from teacher-led roles like ‘班主任’ (bān zhǔrèn, homeroom teacher), as the ‘班长’ is always a peer among students. The term can also be used informally outside school, e.g., in military or training units, to refer to the leader of a small group.