====== rènmìng: 任命 - To Appoint, To Assign ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** renming, 任命, appoint in Chinese, assign in Chinese, how to say appoint in Mandarin, Chinese verb for appoint, official appointment, formal assignment, 任命 vs 派, corporate appointment in China.
  * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and usage of **任命 (rènmìng)**, the formal Chinese verb for "to appoint" or "to assign." This page explains how **任命** is used in official government, corporate, and organizational contexts to confer a position of authority. Discover its cultural significance related to hierarchy and formality, see practical example sentences, and understand the crucial differences between **任命**, **派 (pài)**, and **安排 (ānpái)** to avoid common mistakes.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** rènmìng
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5
  * **Concise Definition:** To formally appoint or assign someone to an official post or position of authority.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **任命 (rènmìng)** is a strong, formal, and official word. It's not for casual tasks. Think of a president **appointing** a new ambassador or a board of directors **appointing** a new CEO. The action is top-down, carries significant weight, and officially grants someone a title and responsibilities.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **任 (rèn):** This character means "to assign a duty," "to appoint," or "responsibility." The person radical (人) on the left suggests it's about a person's role or station. It’s the same character in `责任 (zérèn)`, meaning "responsibility."
  * **命 (mìng):** This character means "an order," "a command," or "fate." The mouth radical (口) at the bottom hints at a command being spoken. It’s the same character in `命令 (mìnglìng)`, which means "a command" or "an order."
When combined, **任命 (rènmìng)** literally means "to assign a duty by command." This combination creates a powerful verb that emphasizes the official and authoritative nature of the appointment.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * **Hierarchy and Formality:** The existence and common use of **任命** highlight the importance of clear hierarchy and formal procedure in Chinese society, particularly in government and business. An appointment isn't just a decision; it's a formal act that is often announced publicly to legitimize the new power structure. This act reinforces the authority of the entity making the appointment and clarifies the new role of the person being appointed.
  * **Comparison to Western Culture:** In American or Western business culture, while the word "appoint" exists, the process can sometimes be framed more collaboratively. A manager might say, "We've all decided that Dave will lead the next project." In China, the announcement is more likely to be a direct, top-down declaration: "The company has **appointed** (任命) Dave as the project manager." This reflects a cultural value placed on clear, undisputed lines of authority and responsibility. The act of **任命** is less about consensus and more about the official exercise of power from a higher level.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**任命** is used almost exclusively in formal settings. You will encounter it most frequently in the following contexts:
  * **Government and Politics:** This is the most common usage. News reports constantly use **任命** to describe presidents, premiers, and committees appointing officials like ministers, governors, and ambassadors.
  * **Corporations and Organizations:** Used for high-level positions. A company's board of directors (董事会 - dǒngshìhuì) will **任命** a new CEO. A department head might be formally **appointed** in a company-wide memo.
  * **Formal Announcements:** The word is a staple of official documents, written announcements, and news broadcasts. You would rarely use it in casual, everyday conversation. For example, you would not **任命** your friend to be in charge of buying movie tickets.
The connotation is neutral to positive. Being the subject of an **任命** is a significant event that confers status and responsibility.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
  * 董事会**任命**了一位新的首席执行官。
  * Pinyin: Dǒngshìhuì **rènmìng**le yī wèi xīn de shǒuxí zhíxíngguān.
  * English: The board of directors appointed a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
  * Analysis: This is a classic example of **任命** in a corporate context. It's a formal, high-level decision made by an authoritative body.
  * **Example 2:**
  * 他被**任命**为中国驻美国大使。
  * Pinyin: Tā bèi **rènmìng** wéi Zhōngguó zhù Měiguó dàshǐ.
  * English: He was appointed as the Chinese ambassador to the United States.
  * Analysis: The passive structure `被 (bèi)` is very common with **任命**, as the focus is often on the person receiving the appointment.
  * **Example 3:**
  * 政府刚刚发布了对几位部长的**任命**。
  * Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ gānggāng fābùle duì jǐ wèi bùzhǎng de **rènmìng**.
  * English: The government just announced the appointments of several ministers.
  * Analysis: Here, **任命** is used as a noun, meaning "an appointment" or "the act of appointing." The structure `对...的任命` means "the appointment of...".
  * **Example 4:**
  * 公司决定**任命**她为市场部经理。
  * Pinyin: Gōngsī juédìng **rènmìng** tā wéi shìchǎngbù jīnglǐ.
  * English: The company decided to appoint her as the marketing department manager.
  * Analysis: The structure `任命 + [Person] + 为 + [Position]` is a standard pattern, meaning "to appoint [Person] as [Position]."
  * **Example 5:**
  * 联合国秘书长**任命**了一名新的特使。
  * Pinyin: Liánhéguó mìshūzhǎng **rènmìng**le yī míng xīn de tèshǐ.
  * English: The UN Secretary-General appointed a new special envoy.
  * Analysis: This shows the term's use in an international, formal context.
  * **Example 6:**
  * 你收到了**任命**通知书了吗？
  * Pinyin: Nǐ shōudàole **rènmìng** tōngzhīshū le ma?
  * English: Have you received the official letter of appointment?
  * Analysis: This demonstrates a practical question related to the appointment process. `任命书` or `任命通知书` is the official document.
  * **Example 7:**
  * 这次**任命**出乎了很多人的意料。
  * Pinyin: Zhè cì **rènmìng** chūhūle hěnduō rén de yìliào.
  * English: This appointment was beyond many people's expectations.
  * Analysis: Again, **任命** functions as a noun ("appointment") and is the subject of the sentence.
  * **Example 8:**
  * 总统有权**任命**最高法院的法官。
  * Pinyin: Zǒngtǒng yǒu quán **rènmìng** zuìgāo fǎyuàn de fǎguān.
  * English: The president has the authority to appoint Supreme Court judges.
  * Analysis: `有权 (yǒu quán)` means "to have the right/authority to," which pairs naturally with the formal action of **任命**.
  * **Example 9:**
  * 他的**任命**将在下个月生效。
  * Pinyin: Tā de **rènmìng** jiāng zài xià ge yuè shēngxiào.
  * English: His appointment will take effect next month.
  * Analysis: Another noun usage. `生效 (shēngxiào)` means "to take effect" or "to become effective," a common collocation with formal appointments.
  * **Example 10:**
  * 谁将被**任命**来领导这个项目？
  * Pinyin: Shéi jiāng bèi **rènmìng** lái lǐngdǎo zhège xiàngmù?
  * English: Who will be appointed to lead this project?
  * Analysis: A question using the passive future tense (`将 + 被`), common in formal discussions about upcoming leadership changes.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
The most common mistake for learners is using **任命** for informal assignments. The English word "assign" is much broader than **任命**.
  *   **`任命 (rènmìng)` vs. `派 (pài)` vs. `安排 (ānpái)`**
  *   **任命 (rènmìng): For a formal position/post.** It bestows a title and long-term authority.
    *   **Correct:** 公司**任命**他为新经理。(The company appointed him as the new manager.)
  *   **派 (pài): To dispatch or send someone for a specific task or mission.** It's about assigning a job, not a permanent title.
    *   **Correct:** 公司**派**他去北京出差。(The company sent him to Beijing on a business trip.)
    *   **Incorrect:** 公司**任命**他去北京出差。(Incorrect because a business trip is a task, not a formal post.)
  *   **安排 (ānpái): To arrange.** This is the most general and informal of the three. It's used for logistics, scheduling, or assigning simple, everyday tasks.
    *   **Correct:** 老师**安排**了今天的作业。(The teacher assigned today's homework.)
    *   **Incorrect:** 老师**任命**了今天的作业。(Grossly incorrect. You cannot "appoint" homework.)
    *   **Example of Misuse:** If you want to ask your roommate to clean the bathroom, you would say: 我可以**安排**你打扫一下洗手间吗？ (Can I arrange for you to clean the bathroom?) or more naturally, 你能打扫一下吗？(Can you clean it?). You would **never** say: 我**任命**你打扫洗手间。(I appoint you to clean the bathroom.) This would sound absurd and arrogant.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[委任]] (wěirèn) - To appoint or delegate. Very similar to **任命**, sometimes implying the act of entrusting someone with a duty.
  * [[指派]] (zhǐpài) - To designate or assign. More focused on assigning a person to a specific task, often less formal than **任命**.
  * [[提名]] (tímíng) - To nominate. The step that often comes before a formal **任命**.
  * [[免职]] (miǎnzhí) - To dismiss from a post. The direct antonym of **任命**.
  * [[升职]] (shēngzhí) - To get a promotion. A promotion is often formalized through an official **任命**.
  * [[任命书]] (rènmìngshū) - Letter of appointment. The official document confirming the appointment.
  * [[授权]] (shòuquán) - To authorize or empower. An appointment usually includes an act of **授权**.
  * [[命令]] (mìnglìng) - An order or command. The root concept behind the `命` character in **任命**.
  * [[委派]] (wěipài) - To delegate or appoint. Similar to **指派**, often used for sending a representative or assigning someone to a mission.