Keywords: zhaopin, 招聘, Chinese for recruit, Chinese for hire, job recruitment in China, how to say hire in Chinese, zhaopin meaning, Chinese job ad, Chinese business vocabulary, HSK 4 vocabulary, zhaopin xinxi.
Summary: An essential term for anyone working or seeking a job in China, 招聘 (zhāopìn) is the formal Chinese word for “to recruit” or “hiring.” This page breaks down the meaning of 招聘, from its character origins to its crucial role in modern Chinese business culture. Learn how to use it correctly in sentences, understand job advertisements, and avoid common mistakes made by learners when discussing employment in Mandarin Chinese.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): zhāopìn
Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: To recruit new employees or personnel; the act of recruitment.
In a Nutshell: `招聘` is the official, formal word for the entire process of hiring people. Think of it as the “Help Wanted,” “Now Hiring,” or “Recruitment” sign of the Chinese-speaking world. It's used by companies, from small shops to large corporations, when they are officially looking to fill a position. If you see these two characters, it means an organization is actively seeking new team members.
Character Breakdown
招 (zhāo): This character means “to beckon,” “to attract,” or “to call over.” It features the “hand” radical (扌), vividly painting a picture of someone waving their hand to attract attention or invite someone to come closer.
聘 (pìn): This character means “to hire” or “to engage” someone for a service or position, often involving a formal agreement. It contains the “ear” radical (耳), which can be linked to the idea of listening to an offer or coming to a formal, spoken agreement.
Combined Meaning: The combination is logical and powerful. 招 (zhāo) is the act of attracting candidates, and 聘 (pìn) is the act of formally hiring them. Together, 招聘 (zhāopìn) covers the entire formal process, from posting the job ad to officially bringing someone on board.
Cultural Context and Significance
In Chinese business culture, the act of hiring is often a more formal and structured affair than in some Western contexts. The use of the word `招聘` itself signals this formality. It implies a clear, multi-step process that may include written applications, standardized tests, and several rounds of interviews. It's not typically used for casual, informal hiring (like hiring a neighbor's kid to mow the lawn).
Comparison to “Hiring”: While “hiring” in English can be very broad (from “we're hiring a CEO” to “I'm hiring a plumber”), `招聘` is almost exclusively used in the context of employment and filling an official post within an organization. It's closer in feel to the English term “recruitment.” The process often emphasizes finding a candidate who not only has the right skills but who will also fit harmoniously into the existing team and company structure—a reflection of collectivist values. Stability and long-term commitment can be highly valued attributes sought during the `招聘` process.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Job Advertisements: This is the most common place you'll see `招聘`. It will often be the headline on a poster in a shop window, the title of a section on a company's website, or the name of a massive online job portal (like Zhaopin.com, one of China's largest).
A common phrase is 招聘信息 (zhāopìn xìnxī), which means “recruitment information.”
Formal Communication: In business meetings or official documents, managers will talk about their `招聘` plans (招聘计划, zhāopìn jìhuà) or `招聘` budget (招聘预算, zhāopìn yùsuàn).
Verb vs. Noun:
As a verb: “我们公司正在招聘一名会计。” (Wǒmen gōngsī zhèngzài zhāopìn yī míng kuàijì.) - “Our company is currently recruiting an accountant.”
As a noun: “今年的招聘非常困难。” (Jīnnián de zhāopìn fēicháng kùnnán.) - “This year's recruitment has been very difficult.”
Example Sentences
Example 1:
我们公司最近在招聘新的工程师。
Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī zuìjìn zài zhāopìn xīn de gōngchéngshī.
English: Our company is recruiting new engineers recently.
Analysis: A standard, common sentence showing `招聘` used as a verb for a specific role.
English: Excuse me, are you still hiring waiters/waitresses here?
Analysis: A practical question a job seeker might ask when approaching a business directly.
Example 8:
由于预算削减，我们今年的招聘名额有限。
Pinyin: Yóuyú yùsuàn xuējiǎn, wǒmen jīnnián de zhāopìn míng'é yǒuxiàn.
English: Due to budget cuts, our recruitment quota is limited this year.
Analysis: This example introduces `招聘名额` (zhāopìn míng'é), “recruitment quota,” showing a more advanced, business-specific usage.
Example 9:
整个招聘流程需要一个月。
Pinyin: Zhěnggè zhāopìn liúchéng xūyào yī gè yuè.
English: The entire recruitment process takes one month.
Analysis: Introduces `招聘流程` (zhāopìn liúchéng), “recruitment process,” highlighting its noun function in a business context.
Example 10:
他负责公司的招聘和培训。
Pinyin: Tā fùzé gōngsī de zhāopìn hé péixùn.
English: He is responsible for the company's recruitment and training.
Analysis: Shows how `招聘` functions as a noun representing a key business department or function, alongside “training” (`培训`).
Nuances and Common Mistakes
Employer vs. Employee Perspective: This is the most critical mistake to avoid.
`招聘 (zhāopìn)` is from the employer's perspective (the company is hiring).
`应聘 (yìngpìn)` or `找工作 (zhǎo gōngzuò)` is from the employee's perspective (the person is applying/looking for a job).
Incorrect: ~~我正在招聘一个新工作。~~ (Wǒ zhèngzài zhāopìn yī gè xīn gōngzuò.) This incorrectly means “I am recruiting a new job.”
Correct: 我正在找一个新工作。 (Wǒ zhèngzài zhǎo yī gè xīn gōngzuò.) - “I am looking for a new job.”
Correct: 我要去应聘那个职位。 (Wǒ yào qù yìngpìn nàge zhíwèi.) - “I am going to apply for that position.”
`招聘 (zhāopìn)` vs. `雇佣 (gùyōng)`:
`招聘` refers to the *process* of attracting and selecting candidates. It's the search.
`雇佣 (gùyōng)` refers to the final, often legal, act of *employing* someone. It's the result of a successful search. A company might `招聘` for a month, interview ten people, and finally `雇佣` one person.
Formality: Do not use `招聘` for very casual, short-term help. If you're just looking for someone to help you move furniture, you would say `找人帮忙 (zhǎo rén bāngmáng)` - “looking for someone to help.” Using `招聘` would sound comically formal, as if you were offering a full employment contract for the task.
Related Terms and Concepts
应聘 (yìngpìn) - To apply for a job. This is the direct counterpart to `招聘`. The company `招聘`, and the candidate `应聘`.
求职 (qiúzhí) - To seek employment; job hunting. A more formal and written term for `找工作`.
面试 (miànshì) - Interview; to have an interview. A crucial step in almost every `招聘` process.
简历 (jiǎnlì) - Résumé, CV. The document you submit when you `应聘`.
雇佣 (gùyōng) - To employ. The formal action a company takes after the `招聘` process is complete.
职位 (zhíwèi) - Position, post. The specific job role that a company is trying to fill via `招聘`.
招聘会 (zhāopìnhuì) - A job fair, recruitment fair. An event where many companies `招聘` at once.
猎头 (liètóu) - Headhunter. Literally “head hunt.” A professional who specializes in high-level `招聘`.
入职 (rùzhí) - To onboard; to officially start a job. This happens after the `招聘` and `雇佣` stages.
工资 (gōngzī) - Salary, wage. A key piece of information in any `招聘信息` (recruitment information).