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出任 (chū rèn) — to take up a post, to assume a position

Definition

Means to assume a position, often implying a new, important, or formal appointment (e.g. 出任总经理). 任职 is the broader 'to hold a post'; 就任 / 上任 stress the act of taking office.

verb
to take up a postto assume a position

Examples

  • 出任。
    Tā chū rèn gōng sī zǒng jīng lǐ.
    He took up the post of general manager of the company.
  • 出任？
    Nǐ xīn chū rèn de zhí wù shì shén me?
    What is the new post you have taken up?
  • 出任。
    Tā chū rèn hòu lì jí gǎi gé le bù mén.
    After taking up the post, she immediately reformed the department.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

出chūgo out
任rènpost

出 means go out and 任 means a post, so the meaning is to go out to take up a post.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

出 combines 止 (foot) and 凵 (cave) to show a foot stepping out of a cave.

Open 出 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Professions & Jobs

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