委以 (wěi yǐ) — to entrust with (a task, position, or responsibility)

Definition

A formal, written verb meaning 'to entrust with (a task or responsibility)' — used in official contexts like company or government appointments. Almost always followed by a noun such as 重任 or 使命; the person entrusted takes 以 + object.

verb
to entrust with (a task, position, or responsibility)

Examples

  • 委以，。
    Gōng sī wěi yǐ tā zhòng rèn, fù zé hǎi wài shì chǎng.
    The company entrusted him with an important task, responsible for overseas markets.
  • 委以。
    Zhèng fǔ wěi yǐ tā yí xiàng tè shū shǐ mìng.
    The government entrusted him with a special mission.
  • 委以。
    Xiào zhǎng wěi yǐ tā guǎn lǐ xīn chéng lì de xué yuàn.
    The principal entrusted her with managing the newly established college.

Origin

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
女女nǚ
Sound part声符shēngfú
禾
禾hé委wěi
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

委 has 女 under 禾. 女, a woman, is the meaning part, and 禾 gives the sound.

Open 委 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape came from a drawing of a person carrying something; in 以, part of that person is still visible on the right.

Open 以 →

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