到任 (dào rén) — to assume a (high) post, to take up an official position

Definition

Formal, written term meaning to take up an official post. Pairs with the written 就任, while 任职 emphasizes holding the post over time.

verb
to assume a (high) postto take up an official position

Examples

  • 到任。
    Xīn xiào zhǎng míng tiān dào rén.
    The new principal assumes his post tomorrow.
  • 。
    Tā dào le rèn jiù kāi shǐ gǎi gé.
    He started reforms as soon as he took up the post.
  • 到任。
    Zhè wèi bù zhǎng dào rén yǐ jīng sān gè yuè le.
    This minister has been in office for three months already.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

到dàoarrive
任rènpost

'到' arriving at '任' the post expresses taking up an official position.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
至至zhìto arrive
Sound part声符shēngfú
刀
刀dāo到dào
Same sound today

到 combines 至, meaning 'to arrive', with 刀 as the sound part. The 至 part points to the idea of reaching a stopping point.

Open 到 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
亻Written in full as人rénperson
Sound part声符shēngfú
壬
壬rén任rèn
Same sound today

任 pairs 亻, a person, with 壬, which may picture a shoulder pole turned sideways.

Open 任 →

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