====== wěiyuán: 委员 - Committee Member, Board Member ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** wěiyuán, 委员, committee member in Chinese, Chinese board member, member of a committee, Chinese politics, Chinese business vocabulary, HSK 5, Chinese government terms, formal titles in Chinese
  * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and usage of **委员 (wěiyuán)**, the formal Chinese term for a "committee member" or "board member". This page breaks down the characters, explores its significant role in Chinese government and corporate structures, and provides numerous practical examples. Understand the key difference between **委员 (wěiyuán)** and the more general term for "member" (成员), a common point of confusion for learners.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** wěiyuán
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** 5
  * **Concise Definition:** A member of a committee, council, or board.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **委员 (wěiyuán)** is a formal title for a person who has been appointed or selected to serve on a specific decision-making or advisory body, known as a **委员会 (wěiyuánkuài)**. Think of it as the official title for someone on a school board, a corporate board of directors, a government commission, or a judging panel. It carries a sense of official duty and responsibility.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **委 (wěi):** This character means "to entrust," "to appoint," or "a committee." Its components suggest a woman (女) being given responsibility for grain (禾), symbolizing being entrusted with an important task.
  * **员 (yuán):** This character means "member" or "personnel." It originally depicted a round-mouthed vessel, which later came to represent a member of a group or a certain number of people.
  * When combined, **委员 (wěiyuán)** literally translates to an "entrusted member" or an "appointed person," perfectly capturing the essence of someone who serves on a committee with specific duties.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In China, committees (**委员会, wěiyuánkuài**) are fundamental to the operation of almost every major organization, from the highest levels of government to corporations and academic institutions. The concept is deeply embedded in a collectivist culture where group consensus and deliberation are highly valued.
A **委员 (wěiyuán)** is therefore not just a "member" in the casual Western sense, like being a member of a gym. It's a formal position of power and influence. For example, a **全国政协委员 (Quánguó Zhèngxié Wěiyuán)**, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, is a prestigious political appointment. In a corporate setting, a member of the board of directors (**董事会委员, dǒngshìhuì wěiyuán**) holds significant authority over the company's direction.
Compared to the Western term "committee member," **委员 (wěiyuán)** often implies a more formal, hierarchical, and appointed status rather than a voluntary or elected one, especially in political contexts. It reflects a structure where authority is delegated to a select group entrusted to act on behalf of a larger body.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**委员 (wěiyuán)** is almost exclusively used in formal or official settings. You will encounter it frequently in the news, in business meetings, and in any discussion related to organizational governance.
  * **As a Title:** It is common to address someone directly using their surname followed by **委员**. For example, **王委员 (Wáng Wěiyuán)**, which is equivalent to "Committee Member Wang." This is a respectful and formal way to show deference to their position.
  * **In Organizations:** The term defines roles within government bodies (e.g., the Olympic Committee - **奥林匹克委员会**), corporations (e.g., the Audit Committee - **审计委员会**), and academic institutions (e.g., the Academic Committee - **学术委员会**).
  * **Connotation:** The term is neutral but carries a strong sense of formality, authority, and responsibility. It is not used in casual or informal social groups.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 他是全国人民代表大会常务**委员**会的一名**委员**。
    * Pinyin: Tā shì Quánguó Rénmín Dàibiǎo Dàhuì Chángwù **Wěiyuán**huì de yī míng **wěiyuán**.
    * English: He is a member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
    * Analysis: This example shows the term's use in the highest echelons of Chinese politics. The repetition of **委员** in **委员会** (committee) and the title itself is common.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 张**委员**，关于这个提案您有什么看法？
    * Pinyin: Zhāng **Wěiyuán**, guānyú zhège tí'àn nín yǒu shénme kànfǎ?
    * English: Committee Member Zhang, what are your thoughts on this proposal?
    * Analysis: This demonstrates how **委员** is used as a formal title when addressing someone directly in a meeting. Using **您 (nín)** further emphasizes the politeness.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 董事会的所有**委员**都投票赞成了这次收购。
    * Pinyin: Dǒngshìhuì de suǒyǒu **wěiyuán** dōu tóupiào zànchéng le zhècì shōugòu.
    * English: All the members of the board of directors voted in favor of this acquisition.
    * Analysis: This sentence places **委员** in a corporate business context, referring to board members.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 她被任命为这个慈善基金会的**委员**。
    * Pinyin: Tā bèi rènmìng wéi zhège císhàn jījīnhuì de **wěiyuán**.
    * English: She was appointed as a member of this charitable foundation's committee.
    * Analysis: The verb **任命 (rènmìng - to appoint)** is frequently used with **委员**, highlighting the formal nature of the position.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 每一位**委员**都有责任审查这份报告。
    * Pinyin: Měi yī wèi **wěiyuán** dōu yǒu zérèn shěnchá zhè fèn bàogào.
    * English: Every committee member has the responsibility to review this report.
    * Analysis: The measure word for a **委员** is the polite **位 (wèi)**, not the more general **个 (gè)**, reflecting the respect given to the position.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 这个评审团由五位**委员**组成。
    * Pinyin: Zhège píngshěntuán yóu wǔ wèi **wěiyuán** zǔchéng.
    * English: This jury is composed of five members.
    * Analysis: Here, **委员** is used for members of a judging panel or jury, another common formal context.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 作为一名新**委员**，我还需要多向大家学习。
    * Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng xīn **wěiyuán**, wǒ hái xūyào duō xiàng dàjiā xuéxí.
    * English: As a new committee member, I still need to learn a lot from everyone.
    * Analysis: A humble way for someone to refer to themselves upon joining a committee. It shows modesty while acknowledging the formal role.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 加入这个**委员**会有什么要求吗？
    * Pinyin: Jiārù zhège **wěiyuán**huì yǒu shénme yāoqiú ma?
    * English: Are there any requirements to join this committee?
    * Analysis: This shows a practical question about becoming a **委员**. Note that the question is about the committee (**委员会**), as one joins the committee to become a member.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 他是国际奥林匹克**委员**会的终身名誉**委员**。
    * Pinyin: Tā shì Guójì Àolínpǐkè **Wěiyuán**huì de zhōngshēn míngyù **wěiyuán**.
    * English: He is a lifetime honorary member of the International Olympic Committee.
    * Analysis: This example shows how other words like **名誉 (míngyù - honorary)** can be added to specify the type of committee membership.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 我不是**委员**，我只是一个普通的工作人员。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ bùshì **wěiyuán**, wǒ zhǐshì yīgè pǔtōng de gōngzuò rényuán.
    * English: I'm not a committee member, I'm just a regular staff member.
    * Analysis: This sentence clearly contrasts the formal, decision-making role of a **委员** with that of general staff.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
The most common mistake for learners is confusing **委员 (wěiyuán)** with **成员 (chéngyuán)**.
  *   **委员 (wěiyuán):** Member of a //committee//. Specific, formal, and implies an appointed role with decision-making or advisory power.
  *   **成员 (chéngyuán):** Member of a //group//. General term for any member of a team, club, family, or organization.
Think of it this way: a sports club has many **成员 (chéngyuán)**, but only a few of them are on the club's governing committee, and those few are the **委员 (wěiyuán)**.
  * **Incorrect:** 我是这个读书俱乐部的委员。 (Wǒ shì zhège dúshū jùlèbù de wěiyuán.)
  * **Reason:** A book club is an informal group. Using **委员** is too formal and inappropriate.
  * **Correct:** 我是这个读书俱乐部的**成员**。 (Wǒ shì zhège dúshū jùlèbù de **chéngyuán**.) - I am a member of this book club.
  * **Incorrect:** 我们家有五个委员。 (Wǒmen jiā yǒu wǔ ge wěiyuán.)
  * **Reason:** Family members are not committee members.
  * **Correct:** 我们家有五个**成员**。 (Wǒmen jiā yǒu wǔ ge **chéngyuán**.) - There are five members in my family.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[委员会]] (wěiyuánkuài) - The committee itself. A **委员** is a member of a **委员会**.
  * [[成员]] (chéngyuán) - The general term for "member," of which **委员** is a specific, formal type.
  * [[主席]] (zhǔxí) - Chairman; President. The leader of a committee or organization, often the head **委员**.
  * [[代表]] (dàibiǎo) - Representative; Delegate. A similar role, but often implying being elected or chosen to speak on behalf of a group.
  * [[董事]] (dǒngshì) - Director of a board. A **董事** is a type of **委员** specific to a company's board of directors (**董事会**).
  * [[常委]] (chángwěi) - Standing committee member. An abbreviation for **常务委员 (chángwù wěiyuán)**, referring to a member of a smaller, more powerful "standing committee" that handles daily affairs.
  * [[任命]] (rènmìng) - To appoint. The formal action of making someone a **委员**.
  * [[顾问]] (gùwèn) - Advisor; Consultant. Another formal role in an organization, often serving on an advisory committee.