Formal:
* 老板 (lǎobǎn): This is the most common and general term for "boss" in Mandarin. It can be used for both male and female bosses.
* 经理 (jīnglǐ): This translates to "manager" and is used for someone who manages a department or specific area of a company.
* 主管 (zhǔguǎn): This means "supervisor" or "head of department" and is used for someone who oversees a particular team or project.
Informal:
* 老大 (lǎodà): This literally means "big brother" and can be used in a friendly and casual way to refer to a boss.
* 头儿 (tóur): This is a slang term for "boss" that is used among close friends and colleagues.
Other:
* 领导 (lǐngdǎo): This literally means "leader" and can be used to refer to a boss in a formal setting.
* 上司 (shàngsī): This means "superior" and is used for someone who holds a higher position than you in a company.
The best way to choose the right term is to consider the context and your relationship with the person you are referring to. If you are unsure, it's always best to use a more formal term like 老板.