chief
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chief
The leader of a tribe, clan, or Indigenous community who has political, military, or spiritual authority.
Der Häuptling des Stammes traf alle wichtigen Entscheidungen für seine Gemeinschaft.
The chief of the tribe made all important decisions for his community.
boss
Colloquial and often ironic for the boss, head, or leader of a group, company, or department.
Frag am besten den Chef persönlich, unser Häuptling sitzt im obersten Stock.
Best ask the boss personally; our chief sits on the top floor.
The word 'Häuptling' (chief) is made up of 'Haupt' (head, leader) and the suffix '-ling'. So it literally refers to the person who stands at the top or at the 'Haupt' (head) of a group.
Als Häuptling war er das Haupt seiner Gemeinschaft.
As chief, he was the head of his community.
You can recognize the meaning from the context. If people are talking about Indigenous peoples in a historical or fictional setting, it refers to the leader. In a modern office, the term for the boss is usually ironic.
In dem alten Film rettet der Häuptling sein Dorf.
In the old film, the chief saves his village.
The term 'Häuptling' (chief) is often associated today with historical or fictional portrayals, e.g. in old books and films. In modern, respectful reporting about Indigenous communities, more precise titles are often preferred.
In vielen Abenteuerromanen des 19. Jahrhunderts gibt es einen weisen Häuptling.
In many adventure novels of the 19th century, there is a wise chief.
Using it for a superior is always colloquial and ironic. It can be humorous, but it can also express disrespect, depending on the tone and situation.
Ich muss mal schnell hoch zum Häuptling und die Unterschrift holen.
I need to quickly go upstairs to the boss and get the signature.
boss
Chef is the usual term for a person in a leadership position at work. Häuptling can also mean a leader in this context, but it sounds colloquial and usually ironic. Chef is therefore suitable for a neutral statement, while Häuptling is suitable as a humorous term.
Scherzhaft nennen wir den Leiter unserer Abteilung den Häuptling.
As a joke, we call the head of our department the chief.
Der Chef unserer Abteilung verteilt heute die neuen Aufgaben.
The head of our department is assigning the new tasks today.
