When combined, 合格 (hégé) literally means “to join/fit (合) the standard (格).” This perfectly captures its essence: something or someone has successfully met the established criteria.
In Western cultures, “passing” can sometimes have a slightly negative or lazy connotation, as in “just getting by.” The Chinese concept of 合格 (hégé), however, is a more neutral and often significant milestone. In a society with a strong emphasis on standards and examinations—from the historical imperial exams to the modern-day *gaokao* (高考) college entrance exam—achieving 合格 status is the fundamental first step to success. It is not seen as “slacking off” but as achieving the necessary baseline for entry or acceptance. For example, an American might say, “I passed, but I wish I'd done better,” focusing on the gap between their performance and perfection. A Chinese perspective might place more emphasis on the fact of passing itself: “我合格了 (wǒ hégé le),” which is a definitive, positive achievement. It represents a transition from “not qualified” to “qualified,” a crucial boundary to cross. This is especially visible in manufacturing, where a 合格 stamp is a non-negotiable guarantee of quality and safety, not just a suggestion that the product is “good enough.”
合格 (hégé) is a common and practical term used across various formal and official contexts.
The term is generally neutral to formal and is a statement of objective fact rather than subjective feeling.