lùqǔ: 录取 - To Admit, To Accept (into a school/program), To Enroll
Quick Summary
Keywords: 录取, lùqǔ, lùqǔ meaning, lùqǔ definition, 录取通知书, lùqǔ tōngzhīshū, Chinese for admit, university admission China, accept into school Chinese, gaokao, enroll in university, be accepted by, be admitted to
Summary: Learn the crucial Chinese term 录取 (lùqǔ), which means “to admit” or “to enroll,” most often in the context of university or job applications. This word carries immense cultural weight in China, especially in relation to the high-stakes gaokao (高考) college entrance exam. Discover how 录取 (lùqǔ) signifies a major life achievement and differs from simply “getting in,” representing the formal, selective process of being chosen and officially recorded by an institution.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): lùqǔ
Part of Speech: Verb
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: To formally select and admit a candidate into an institution like a school, university, or company.
In a Nutshell:录取 (lùqǔ) is the official action an institution takes when it accepts you. Think of it as the moment your name is officially recorded on the list of new students or employees. It's a formal and significant word that marks the successful outcome of a competitive selection process. The feeling isn't just “I got in,” but rather “I was selected” or “I was formally admitted,” highlighting a major milestone and achievement.
Character Breakdown
录 (lù): This character means “to record,” “to write down,” or “a record/list.” Think of words like `记录 (jìlù)` (to record) or `目录 (mùlù)` (a catalog/list). It implies an official, documented action.
取 (qǔ): This character means “to take,” “to get,” or “to choose/select.” Its ancient form depicted a hand taking an ear, symbolizing a trophy from a battle. This has evolved to mean selecting or taking something desirable.
Together, 录取 (lùqǔ) literally means “to select and record.” This perfectly describes the formal process of an institution choosing a candidate from a pool of applicants and officially adding their name to the roster of admitted individuals.
Cultural Context and Significance
In Chinese culture, 录取 (lùqǔ) is a word loaded with meaning, far beyond its simple definition. It is inextricably linked to the 高考 (gāokǎo), China's notoriously difficult national college entrance exam. For millions of students and their families, years of intense study, sacrifice, and pressure culminate in the hope of being 录取 by a good university.
Receiving the 录取通知书 (lùqǔ tōngzhīshū), or official admission letter, is a moment of immense pride and celebration for the entire family, often seen as a key to a successful future and a reward for collective effort.
Comparison with Western Culture: In the US, a student might apply to ten universities and get accepted by five, then choose one. The power is more in the student's hands after the initial acceptances. In the traditional Chinese system, the 高考 score heavily determines which universities a student is eligible for. Therefore, being 录取 by a specific university feels less like one of several options and more like a definitive, life-altering judgment. It's the institution that holds the power to 录取 you, making the word itself feel more formal and significant than the English “get accepted.”
Practical Usage in Modern China
Education: This is the most common context. You will hear it constantly during application season.
`被大学录取` (bèi dàxué lùqǔ) - To be admitted by a university.
`录取分数线` (lùqǔ fēnshùxiàn) - The minimum score for admission (the “admissions cut-off score”).
Employment: It is also used in formal hiring contexts, especially for large companies or government positions.
`他被那家公司录取了。` (Tā bèi nà jiā gōngsī lùqǔ le.) - He was hired by that company.
Note: For jobs, the word `录用 (lùyòng)` is also very common and often preferred as it specifically means “to hire.”
Formality:录取 is a formal verb. It is used for official, selective processes. You would not use it for being accepted into a friend's book club or being invited to a party. It's reserved for when an organization or institution formally chooses you.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
恭喜你被北京大学录取了！
Pinyin: Gōngxǐ nǐ bèi Běijīng Dàxué lùqǔ le!
English: Congratulations on being admitted to Peking University!
Analysis: This is a classic congratulatory phrase. Note the use of `被 (bèi)`, the passive voice marker. It's very common to say “be admitted by” an institution.
Example 2:
今年我们学校的录取比例很低。
Pinyin: Jīnnián wǒmen xuéxiào de lùqǔ bǐlì hěn dī.
English: Our school's admission rate is very low this year.
Analysis: Here, `录取` acts like a noun modifier for `比例 (bǐlì)` (rate/ratio), forming the compound noun “admission rate.”
Example 3:
我终于收到了我的录取通知书！
Pinyin: Wǒ zhōngyú shōudào le wǒ de lùqǔ tōngzhīshū!
English: I finally received my admission letter!
Analysis: The `录取通知书 (lùqǔ tōngzhīshū)` is the physical document of acceptance, a hugely important item in Chinese academic culture.
Example 4:
他的分数线刚好达到了录取标准。
Pinyin: Tā de fēnshùxiàn gānghǎo dádào le lùqǔ biāozhǔn.
English: His score just managed to meet the admission standard.
Analysis: `录取标准 (lùqǔ biāozhǔn)` means “admission criteria” or “admission standard.” This highlights the objective, criteria-based nature of the process.
English: Unfortunately, I wasn't admitted to my dream university.
Analysis: This shows the negative form, `没有被…录取 (méiyǒu bèi…lùqǔ)`, which is the standard way to express not being admitted.
Example 8:
你被哪个专业录取了？
Pinyin: Nǐ bèi nǎge zhuānyè lùqǔ le?
English: What major were you admitted into?
Analysis: A common follow-up question after learning someone was admitted to university. The subject being admitted to is the `专业 (zhuānyè)` or academic major.
English: The school will admit new students based on their exam scores and overall qualities.
Analysis: This sentence describes the process from the school's perspective, highlighting what they consider when they `录取` students. `新生 (xīnshēng)` means “new students.”
English: The competition to be admitted by this famous university is extremely fierce.
Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the difficulty and competitive nature associated with the act of being `录取` by a top institution (`名校 - míngxiào`).
Nuances and Common Mistakes
录取 (lùqǔ) vs. 接受 (jiēshòu): This is the most critical distinction for English speakers.
录取 (lùqǔ) is the action the institution does TO you. (They admit you).
接受 (jiēshòu) is the action YOU do in response. (You accept their offer).
Incorrect: `我录取了哈佛大学。` (Wǒ lùqǔ le Hāfó Dàxué.) This literally means “I admitted Harvard University,” which is wrong.
Correct: `哈佛大学录取了我。` (Hāfó Dàxué lùqǔ le wǒ.) - Harvard University admitted me.
Correct: `我被哈佛大学录取了。` (Wǒ bèi Hāfó Dàxué lùqǔ le.) - I was admitted by Harvard University. (This passive structure is very common).
Correct: `我接受了哈佛大学的录取。` (Wǒ jiēshòu le Hāfó Dàxué de lùqǔ.) - I accepted Harvard University's admission offer.
录取 (lùqǔ) vs. 录用 (lùyòng):
录取 is used for both education and employment but is far more common for education.
录用 (lùyòng) is used almost exclusively for employment and means “to hire” or “to put to use.” If you're talking about a job, `录用` is often the more precise and common choice.
Related Terms and Concepts
`录取通知书 (lùqǔ tōngzhīshū)` - The “admission notice” or acceptance letter; a highly symbolic document.
`高考 (gāokǎo)` - The National College Entrance Examination, the primary event that leads to university `录取`.
`申请 (shēnqǐng)` - To apply. This is the action you take *before* you can be `录取`.
`被录取 (bèi lùqǔ)` - “To be admitted.” The very common passive form of the verb.
`招生 (zhāoshēng)` - “To recruit students.” This is what a school does (the opposite perspective of `录取`).
`面试 (miànshì)` - Interview. Often a key part of the `录取` process for jobs or graduate school.
`录用 (lùyòng)` - To hire/employ. The direct equivalent of `录取` but used specifically for jobs.
`落榜 (luòbǎng)` - Lit. “to fall off the list.” The antonym of being admitted; to fail an entrance exam.
`分数线 (fēnshùxiàn)` - The “cut-off score” required for `录取`.
`保送 (bǎosòng)` - To be recommended for admission without taking the exam, a special channel for `录取`.