head
Loading your saved state.
head / leader
The person who is at the top of a family, group, tribe, or state and has the highest authority.
Das Familienoberhaupt rief alle zu einer wichtigen Besprechung zusammen.
The head of the family called everyone together for an important meeting.
The word is made up of 'ober-' (highest position) and 'das Haupt' (the head). An 'Oberhaupt' is therefore literally the 'top head' of a group, which illustrates its meaning as leader.
Das Oberhaupt des Stammes entscheidet über wichtige Angelegenheiten.
The head of the tribe decides on important matters.
Although an 'Oberhaupt' (head or leader) is usually a person, the article is 'das' (neuter). So it is 'das Oberhaupt', not 'der Oberhaupt', even if the person is a man.
Das neue Oberhaupt der Organisation wurde gestern gewählt.
The new head of the organization was elected yesterday.
'Oberhaupt' (head or leader) is often used as part of longer, more specific words. The most common are 'das Staatsoberhaupt' (head of state: president or monarch) and 'das Familienoberhaupt' (head of the family).
Der Bundespräsident ist das Staatsoberhaupt von Deutschland.
The Federal President is the head of state of Germany.
boss
'der Chef' and 'das Oberhaupt' both describe a person with authority. 'der Chef' is used mainly in professional contexts or colloquially for someone who calls the shots in a situation. 'das Oberhaupt' sounds more formal and means the person at the head of a family, group, tribe, or state. It is often about the highest authority, not just a normal superior. Learners may confuse the words because both mean a leading person. For work and everyday life, 'Chef' is usually correct; for families, states, or traditional groups, 'Oberhaupt' is more appropriate.
Das Oberhaupt der Familie entscheidet, wo die große Feier stattfindet.
The head of the family decides where the big celebration will take place.
Meine Mutter ruft ihren Chef an, weil sie heute später kommt.
My mother calls her boss because she is coming in later today.