cǎiyòng: 采用 - To Adopt, Employ, Use (a method/policy)

• Keywords: caiyong, 采用, adopt in Chinese, use a method Chinese, employ a system Chinese, 采用 vs 使用, how to say adopt in Mandarin, Chinese for implement, formal Chinese verbs, HSK 4 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn the formal Chinese verb 采用 (cǎiyòng), which means to adopt, employ, or implement a method, policy, suggestion, or technology. This page breaks down its meaning, distinguishing it from the more general word for “use” (使用), and provides numerous practical examples for business, tech, and official contexts. Understand why choosing to `cǎiyòng` something implies a formal decision-making process.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): cǎiyòng
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To select for use; to adopt or employ a method, policy, or system.
• In a Nutshell: Think of `采用` as meaning “to choose and then use.” It's not for using everyday objects like a pen or a cup. Instead, it's used when a company, government, or individual makes a deliberate decision to implement something abstract, like a new strategy, a piece of software, or a specific suggestion. The core feeling is one of formal selection and implementation.

• 采 (cǎi): This character originally depicted a hand picking fruit from a tree. It carries the meaning of “to pick,” “to gather,” or “to select.”
• 用 (yòng): This is a straightforward character meaning “to use” or “to employ.”

When combined, 采用 (cǎiyòng) literally means “to select and use.” This perfectly captures the two-step process implied by the word: first, a conscious choice is made from various options (采), and second, the chosen option is put into use (用).

`采用` is a word that reflects the procedural and often formal nature of decision-making in Chinese professional and official environments. The act of “adopting” a new system or policy isn't usually a casual decision; it implies discussion, evaluation, and approval, often from a higher authority. A good comparison in Western culture is the difference between saying, “Let's try this new software,” and “The board has approved the motion to adopt the new CRM platform.” The first is informal, while the second is a formal declaration. `采用` almost always carries the weight of the second example. It signals a definitive, official choice. Using it shows you understand the formal register of Chinese and respect the established processes in a workplace or official setting. It aligns with cultural values that emphasize order, consensus, and clear, hierarchical decision-making.

`采用` is a staple of formal communication. You will rarely hear it in a casual chat between friends, but you will see and hear it constantly in the following contexts:

• Business and Corporate: Used when discussing the implementation of new strategies, management models, or systems.
  • e.g., “Our company decided to adopt a new marketing strategy.” (采用新的营销策略)
• Technology and IT: Essential for talking about employing new technologies, algorithms, software, or design standards.
  • e.g., “The app adopts the latest encryption technology.” (采用了最新的加密技术)
• Government and Academia: Used for formally adopting new policies, regulations, research methodologies, or educational standards.
  • e.g., “The government will adopt new environmental protection policies.” (将采用新的环保政策)

Its connotation is neutral and objective. Its formality level is high.

• Example 1:
  • 我们公司决定采用一种新的管理模式。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī juédìng cǎiyòng yī zhǒng xīn de guǎnlǐ móshì.
  • English: Our company has decided to adopt a new management model.
  • Analysis: A classic business context. The company considered options and made a formal decision to implement this specific model.
• Example 2:
  • 这个项目采用了最先进的技术。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù cǎiyòngle zuì xiānjìn de jìshù.
  • English: This project employed the most advanced technology.
  • Analysis: Used here to describe the technical foundation of a project. It implies a deliberate choice to use cutting-edge tech.
• Example 3:
  • 为了提高效率，我们应该采用新的工作流程。
  • Pinyin: Wèile tígāo xiàolǜ, wǒmen yīnggāi cǎiyòng xīn de gōngzuò liúchéng.
  • English: In order to improve efficiency, we should adopt a new workflow.
  • Analysis: This is a suggestion made in a professional setting. The word `采用` makes the suggestion sound formal and well-considered.
• Example 4:
  • 为什么他们最终没有采用你的建议？
  • Pinyin: Wèishéme tāmen zuìzhōng méiyǒu cǎiyòng nǐ de jiànyì?
  • English: Why didn't they adopt your suggestion in the end?
  • Analysis: Shows how `采用` is used for abstract things like suggestions or opinions. The opposite of adopting is simply “not adopting” (没有采用).
• Example 5:
  • 这份报告采用了问卷调查的研究方法。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn bàogào cǎiyòngle wènjuàn diàochá de yánjiū fāngfǎ.
  • English: This report used the research method of a questionnaire survey.
  • Analysis: A standard phrase in academic or research contexts. It specifies the methodology that was chosen for the study.
• Example 6:
  • 新手机采用了OLED屏幕。
  • Pinyin: Xīn shǒujī cǎiyòngle OLED píngmù.
  • English: The new phone uses an OLED screen.
  • Analysis: Common in tech journalism and marketing. It highlights a key component that was “selected for use” in the product's design.
• Example 7:
  • 许多国家已经采用无现金支付系统。
  • Pinyin: Xǔduō guójiā yǐjīng cǎiyòng wú xiànjīn zhīfù xìtǒng.
  • English: Many countries have already adopted cashless payment systems.
  • Analysis: Perfect for discussing large-scale implementation of policies or technologies at a national level.
• Example 8:
  • 老师采用了新的教学方法来吸引学生的注意力。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī cǎiyòngle xīn de jiàoxué fāngfǎ lái xīyǐn xuéshēng de zhùyìlì.
  • English: The teacher adopted a new teaching method to attract the students' attention.
  • Analysis: Shows that an individual can also `采用` something, as long as it's a method or system. The teacher chose this specific method to achieve a goal.
• Example 9:
  • 这种设计采用了极简主义风格。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng shèjì cǎiyòngle jíjiǎn zhǔyì fēnggé.
  • English: This design adopts a minimalist style.
  • Analysis: Used to describe the choice of an artistic style or design philosophy.
• Example 10:
  • 如果这个方案被采用，我们将立即开始工作。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ zhège fāng'àn bèi cǎiyòng, wǒmen jiāng lìjí kāishǐ gōngzuò.
  • English: If this proposal is adopted, we will begin work immediately.
  • Analysis: Here, `采用` is used in the passive voice with `被 (bèi)`, which is very common in official documents and meetings.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing `采用` with `使用 (shǐyòng)`. They both can be translated as “to use,” but they are not interchangeable.

• `采用 (cǎiyòng)`: To SELECT and use.
  • Used for abstract concepts: methods, policies, technologies, suggestions, standards, systems.
  • Implies a decision-making process.
  • Formal.
  • Example: 采用新方法 (cǎiyòng xīn fāngfǎ) - to adopt a new method.
• `使用 (shǐyòng)`: To USE.
  • Used for concrete tools and objects: pens, computers, chopsticks, money.
  • Implies simply making use of something that is available.
  • Can be formal or informal.
  • Example: 使用电脑 (shǐyòng diànnǎo) - to use a computer.

Common Mistake Example:

• Incorrect: 我今天采用了我的新电脑。 (Wǒ jīntiān cǎiyòngle wǒ de xīn diànnǎo.)
• Why it's wrong: A computer is a tool, an object. You don't “adopt” it like a policy. You simply use it.
• Correct: 我今天使用了我的新电脑。 (Wǒ jīntiān shǐyòngle wǒ de xīn diànnǎo.)

Think of it this way: The engineers 采用 a new type of chip for the computer's design. Then, you 使用 that computer to do your work.

• 使用 (shǐyòng) - The general-purpose verb “to use,” typically for tools and objects. The most important word to distinguish from `采用`.
• 采取 (cǎiqǔ) - To adopt or take (measures, steps, action). Very similar to `采用`, but often collocates with words like `措施` (cuòshī, “measures”) or `行动` (xíngdòng, “action”).
• 应用 (yìngyòng) - To apply (e.g., a theory to a practical problem). Focuses on the practical application rather than the initial selection.
• 采纳 (cǎinà) - To accept or adopt (advice, suggestions, opinions). More focused on accepting input from others.
• 利用 (lìyòng) - To utilize, to make use of. Can imply using something to its fullest potential, but can sometimes have a negative connotation of “to exploit.”
• 实施 (shíshī) - To implement, to put into effect. This is the action that follows after a policy or plan has been `采用`.
• 选择 (xuǎnzé) - To choose, to select. This verb represents the first part of what `采用` means (“采”).
• 方法 (fāngfǎ) - Method, way. A very common object for the verb `采用`.
• 技术 (jìshù) - Technology. Another common object.
• 政策 (zhèngcè) - Policy. A key term used with `采用` in governmental and corporate contexts.