Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== kǎohé: 考核 - To Assess, Evaluate, Performance Review ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** kaohe, kǎohé, 考核, Chinese performance review, Chinese assessment, evaluate in Chinese, 考核 meaning, HSK 5 vocabulary, Chinese business culture, 考核 vs 考试, assess in Chinese. * **Summary:** Learn the crucial Chinese term **考核 (kǎohé)**, which means "to assess" or "performance review." Far more than a simple "test," this HSK 5 word is central to Chinese business, academic, and professional life, referring to the formal evaluation of an individual's or a system's performance against set standards. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical usage, contrasting it with similar terms like [[考试]] (kǎoshì) to help you master its use in real-world contexts. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** kǎo hé * **Part of Speech:** Verb / Noun * **HSK Level:** 5 * **Concise Definition:** To formally assess or evaluate performance against a set of criteria; a performance review, appraisal, or assessment. * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **考核 (kǎohé)** not as a single pop quiz, but as a comprehensive report card for your job or a major project. It's a formal process where a superior or an organization checks your work or progress over a period to see if you meet the required standards. It's about accountability and verification, carrying more weight than a regular exam. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **考 (kǎo):** This character means "to test" or "to examine." It's the same character found in [[考试]] (kǎoshì), meaning "exam." It sets the context of testing and examination. * **核 (hé):** This character means "to check," "to verify," or "to investigate." It also means "nucleus" or the "pit" of a fruit. You can think of it as "getting to the core or nucleus (核) of a matter" through careful verification. * **Combined Meaning:** The two characters together, "test" (考) and "verify" (核), create a powerful compound word. It signifies a process that is both an examination and a thorough verification. It’s not just about seeing what you know, but about checking if your performance truly meets the standard, getting to the "core" of your capabilities. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In Chinese culture, which places a high value on standards, benchmarks, and clear hierarchies, **考核 (kǎohé)** is a cornerstone of institutional life. It embodies the principle of accountability in a tangible way, whether in a state-owned enterprise, a private company, or a government bureau. **Comparison to a Western "Performance Review":** While a "performance review" is the closest Western equivalent, there are subtle but important differences. A modern American performance review often emphasizes two-way feedback, employee-led goals, and professional development. The tone is frequently collaborative. A **考核 (kǎohé)**, on the other hand, can traditionally be more of a top-down, one-way evaluation. The focus is less on "How do you feel about your growth?" and more on "Have you met the quantitative and qualitative targets set by the organization?" The outcome of a **考核**—such as a year-end bonus (**年终奖, niánzhōngjiǎng**), promotion, or even contract renewal—is often directly and explicitly tied to the result. This makes the **考核** process feel more high-stakes and formal than many of its Western counterparts. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **考核** is a formal and widely used term, primarily in professional and academic settings. * **In the Workplace:** This is the most common context. * **绩效考核 (jìxiào kǎohé):** Performance appraisal. This is a standard procedure in most Chinese companies. * **年终考核 (niánzhōng kǎohé):** Year-end performance review. This often determines the size of your annual bonus. * **试用期考核 (shìyòngqī kǎohé):** Probation period assessment. Passing it means you officially become a full-time employee. * **In Government and Education:** * **干部考核 (gànbù kǎohé):** Cadre/official evaluation. A formal system for assessing the performance of government officials. * A professor might use **考核** to describe the overall assessment method for a course, which could include exams, papers, and participation, not just the final test. * **As a Noun vs. Verb:** * **As a verb:** "老板要**考核**我们。" (Lǎobǎn yào **kǎohé** wǒmen.) - "The boss is going to assess us." * **As a noun:** "这次的**考核**很严格。" (Zhècì de **kǎohé** hěn yángé.) - "This assessment is very strict." ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 公司每年年底都会进行一次绩效**考核**。 * Pinyin: Gōngsī měinián niándǐ dōu huì jìnxíng yīcì jìxiào **kǎohé**. * English: The company conducts a performance appraisal at the end of every year. * Analysis: This is a classic example of **考核** used in a business context as part of a compound noun, **绩效考核 (jìxiào kǎohé)**, meaning "performance appraisal." * **Example 2:** * 新员工有三个月的试用期，试用期结束时会有**考核**。 * Pinyin: Xīn yuángōng yǒu sān gè yuè de shìyòngqī, shìyòngqī jiéshù shí huì yǒu **kǎohé**. * English: New employees have a three-month probationary period, and there will be an assessment at the end of it. * Analysis: Here, **考核** is a noun referring to the final evaluation that determines if a new hire gets to stay. It highlights the high-stakes nature of the term. * **Example 3:** * 经理下周要**考核**我们团队的销售业绩。 * Pinyin: Jīnglǐ xiàzhōu yào **kǎohé** wǒmen tuánduì de xiāoshòu yèjì. * English: The manager will assess our team's sales performance next week. * Analysis: In this sentence, **考核** is used as a verb. The object of the assessment is "sales performance" (销售业绩). * **Example 4:** * 如果你没有通过这次**考核**，你可能会被解雇。 * Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ méiyǒu tōngguò zhècì **kǎohé**, nǐ kěnéng huì bèi jiěgù. * English: If you don't pass this assessment, you might be fired. * Analysis: This sentence clearly shows the serious consequences that can be tied to a **考核**. The verb for "to pass" is **通过 (tōngguò)**. * **Example 5:** * 这门课的最终**考核**包括一次笔试和一篇论文。 * Pinyin: Zhè mén kè de zuìzhōng **kǎohé** bāokuò yīcì bǐshì hé yī piān lùnwén. * English: This course's final assessment includes one written exam and one essay. * Analysis: This shows how **考核** is broader than a single test. The assessment (**考核**) is the overall evaluation, which is made up of different components like an exam (**笔试**) and an essay (**论文**). * **Example 6:** * 政府正在**考核**这个项目的可行性。 * Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ zhèngzài **kǎohé** zhège xiàngmù de kěxíngxìng. * English: The government is evaluating the feasibility of this project. * Analysis: **考核** isn't limited to people. It can be used to formally evaluate projects, plans, or systems against specific criteria (in this case, "feasibility" - 可行性). * **Example 7:** * 他的工作能力很强，每次**考核**都是优秀。 * Pinyin: Tā de gōngzuò nénglì hěn qiáng, měicì **kǎohé** dōu shì yōuxiù. * English: His work ability is very strong; he gets an "excellent" rating in every performance review. * Analysis: This shows a positive outcome. "优秀 (yōuxiù)" is a common grade for "excellent" in a formal assessment. * **Example 8:** * 我们需要建立一个更公平的员工**考核**体系。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào jiànlì yīgè gèng gōngpíng de yuángōng **kǎohé** tǐxì. * English: We need to establish a fairer employee assessment system. * Analysis: **考核** is often part of a larger **体系 (tǐxì)**, or "system." This highlights its formal, structured nature within an organization. * **Example 9:** * 在接受**考核**时，他感到非常紧张。 * Pinyin: Zài jiēshòu **kǎohé** shí, tā gǎndào fēicháng jǐnzhāng. * English: He felt very nervous while undergoing the assessment. * Analysis: The verb **接受 (jiēshòu)**, meaning "to accept" or "to receive," is often used with **考核**. You "receive" or "undergo" an assessment. * **Example 10:** * 这次**考核**的标准是什么？ * Pinyin: Zhècì **kǎohé** de biāozhǔn shì shénme? * English: What are the criteria for this assessment? * Analysis: This is a very practical question. A **考核** is always measured against a **标准 (biāozhǔn)**, or "standard/criterion." ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== The most common mistake for learners is confusing **考核 (kǎohé)** with **考试 (kǎoshì)**. * **考核 (kǎohé) = Assessment / Performance Review.** It's a broad evaluation of overall performance over time. You //undergo// a **考核**. It implies judgment against a set of standards. * *Example Context:* Your boss reviewing your work for the entire year. * **考试 (kǎoshì) = Exam / Test.** It's a specific event, usually written or oral, to check knowledge at a single point in time. You //take// a **考试**. * *Example Context:* A final exam in a history class. **A 考试 can be part of a 考核, but a 考核 is not a 考试.** * **Correct:** "My final **考核** (assessment) includes a **考试** (exam) and a presentation." * **Incorrect:** "I have a big job **考试** (exam) tomorrow with my boss." You would say you have a **考核 (kǎohé)** or maybe a **面试 (miànshì)** (interview). Another common pitfall is using **考核** for informal or technical testing. * **Incorrect:** 我想**考核**一下这个新手机。 (Wǒ xiǎng **kǎohé** yīxià zhège xīn shǒujī.) * **Why it's wrong:** **考核** is for formal performance evaluation, usually of people or systems. For testing a device, you should use **测试 (cèshì)**. * **Correct:** 我想**测试**一下这个新手机。 (Wǒ xiǎng **cèshì** yīxià zhège xīn shǒujī.) - "I want to test out this new phone." ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[考试]] (kǎoshì) - Exam, test. The most common source of confusion.