The Chinese verb 嘉奖 (jiājiǎng) is a high-register term used to describe the act of formally commending, awarding, or rewarding someone for their exceptional merit, service, or achievements. Unlike casual praise, 嘉奖 carries a weight of official recognition, often originating from a superior, an organization, or the state. It is not merely saying 'good job'; it is the institutionalization of that praise, frequently accompanied by a certificate, a medal, or a formal announcement. In the hierarchy of Chinese 'praise' words, 嘉奖 sits near the top, reserved for significant contributions that deserve to be recorded or publicly acknowledged.
- Formal Recognition
- This word is predominantly used in military, governmental, and corporate contexts where an official 'Order of Commendation' (嘉奖令) is issued. It implies a level of prestige that ordinary '奖励' (reward) might lack.
由于他在抢险救灾中的英勇表现，政府决定给予他通令嘉奖。
The character 嘉 (jiā) originally meant 'excellent' or 'auspicious,' often used in ancient texts to describe fine food or virtuous behavior. When paired with 奖 (jiǎng), which means 'to reward' or 'to encourage,' the compound emphasizes the 'excellence' of the person being rewarded. You will hear this word during annual company meetings, military ceremonies, or in historical dramas when an emperor bestows honors upon a victorious general. It is rarely used between friends or within a family unless used ironically or in a very formal toast.
- Scope of Application
- It applies to individuals or collectives who have performed duties above and beyond the standard expectation. It is the verbal or written equivalent of a standing ovation from an authority figure.
公司董事会一致通过，对研发团队进行集体嘉奖。
In modern usage, 嘉奖 is often part of a formal administrative process. For example, in the Chinese Civil Service system, there are specific levels of rewards: 嘉奖 (Commendation), 记三等功 (Third-class Merit), 记二等功 (Second-class Merit), and so on. Understanding this hierarchy helps learners realize that 嘉奖 is the foundational level of official merit recognition. It signals that an action was not just good, but noteworthy enough to be documented in a person's permanent record.
- Linguistic Nuance
- While '奖励' (jiǎnglì) focuses on the incentive/prize, '嘉奖' (jiājiǎng) focuses on the '嘉' (excellence) and the public nature of the praise. It is a 'high-light' on one's career path.
获得部级的嘉奖是他职业生涯的高光时刻。
To summarize, use 嘉奖 when you want to sound professional, formal, and authoritative about recognizing someone's hard work. It bridges the gap between simple praise and a physical award, emphasizing the honor and the official nature of the act.
Using 嘉奖 correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical constraints as a formal verb. It most commonly functions as a verb meaning 'to commend,' but it can also act as a noun referring to the commendation itself. Because of its formality, it often appears in specific syntactic structures that learners should master to sound natural in professional environments.
- Pattern 1: S + 嘉奖 + O
- The most direct usage. The subject is usually an authority or organization. Example: 经理嘉奖了表现突出的员工 (The manager commended the employees with outstanding performance).
校长在全校大会上嘉奖了那些参加志愿服务的学生。
Another very common structure is the passive form using '受到' (shòudào) or '获得' (huòdé). This is used when the focus is on the recipient of the honor. In this case, 嘉奖 functions more like a noun. You will see this in resumes or news reports: '某某人受到通令嘉奖' (Someone received a general order of commendation).
- Pattern 2: 给予 (jǐyǔ) + O + 嘉奖
- This 'give' construction is extremely formal. Example: 组织决定给予他嘉奖 (The organization decided to give him a commendation).
对于他在科研领域的突破，国家给予了最高级别的嘉奖。
When using 嘉奖, you can also modify it with adverbs that specify the scope or the method. '通令嘉奖' (tōnglìng jiājiǎng) is a fixed bureaucratic term meaning a commendation announced to all subordinates or the public. '集体嘉奖' (jítǐ jiājiǎng) refers to commending a whole group or team. '口头嘉奖' (kǒutóu jiājiǎng) is a verbal commendation, which is slightly less formal but still official.
- Pattern 3: 嘉奖 + O + 为 (wéi) + Title
- Used when the commendation includes a title. Example: 嘉奖他为“年度模范” (Commend him as the 'Model of the Year').
该士兵因其在边境的英勇表现被嘉奖为“卫国英雄”。
Finally, remember that 嘉奖 is often followed by the reason for the commendation, introduced by '因' (yīn) or '由于' (yóuyú). For instance: '因工作出色受到嘉奖' (Received commendation due to outstanding work). This logical flow—Reason -> Action -> Honor—is the hallmark of formal Chinese administrative writing.
Understanding the environment where 嘉奖 is used is key to avoiding social awkwardness. You won't hear this at a hotpot restaurant among friends, but you will encounter it frequently in the following four specific domains.
- 1. Government and News Broadcasts
- In China, CCTV News (新闻联播) frequently uses 嘉奖 when reporting on state honors. Whether it is a scientist receiving a national award or a local official being recognized for poverty alleviation, '嘉奖' is the standard term used to denote that the recognition is official and state-sanctioned.
新闻报道说，国务院发文嘉奖了在抗击疫情中做出突出贡献的集体。
2. Military and Police Contexts: This is perhaps the most 'native' home for the word. In the military, '嘉奖' is a specific administrative reward level. If you are watching a Chinese military drama like 'Soldiers Sortie' (士兵突击), you will hear officers talk about '记嘉奖一次' (recording one commendation). It is a formal part of a soldier's service record.
- 3. Corporate Annual Meetings
- During the 'Nianhui' (Annual Meeting), the CEO might stand on stage and say, '我们要嘉奖那些在过去一年中辛勤工作的同事们' (We want to commend those colleagues who worked hard in the past year). Here, it adds a sense of ceremony and gravity to the year-end bonuses.
在公司年会上，销售冠军受到了总裁的亲笔信嘉奖。
4. Historical Dramas (Wuxia/Period Dramas): You will see emperors '嘉奖' their ministers. In this context, it often involves land, gold, or titles. The word has maintained its core meaning of 'official reward from above' for centuries, making it a bridge between classical and modern Mandarin.
- 5. Academic and Institutional Announcements
- Universities often '嘉奖' students who win international competitions. This is usually posted on the university's official website or bulletin board.
学院决定对在数学竞赛中获奖的同学予以通报嘉奖。
In all these settings, '嘉奖' serves as a signal that the behavior being recognized is a model for others to follow. It is not just a private transaction; it is a public statement of values.
Even advanced learners often stumble when using 嘉奖 because they treat it as a direct synonym for 'praise' or 'reward'. However, its high register and official connotations mean it cannot be used in every context. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid.
- Mistake 1: Using it in casual, interpersonal contexts
- You should never say '妈妈嘉奖了我吃蔬菜' (Mom commended me for eating vegetables). This sounds incredibly stiff and bizarre. For family or friends, use '夸' (kuā) or '表扬' (biǎoyáng). 嘉奖 requires an institutional or formal power dynamic.
❌ 老师嘉奖了我今天的作业完成得很快。
✅ 老师表扬了我今天的作业完成得很快。
Mistake 2: Confusing it with '奖励' (jiǎnglì). While related, '奖励' focuses on the material aspect—giving a prize, money, or a trophy. '嘉奖' focuses on the honor and the act of commending. You '奖励' someone with a car, but you '嘉奖' someone for their bravery. If there is no formal recognition involved, 奖励 is safer.
- Mistake 3: Incorrect Object Placement
- Learners often forget that 嘉奖 is a formal verb that usually requires a 'reason' or a 'manner' to feel complete. Saying '他嘉奖我' is grammatically okay but stylistically weak. It's better as '他因我的贡献而嘉奖我'.
❌ 我得到了嘉奖关于我的工作。
✅ 我因工作出色而受到嘉奖。
Mistake 4: Overusing the passive '被' (bèi). While '被嘉奖' is possible, in formal Chinese, the structure '受到...嘉奖' or '获得...嘉奖' is much more common and sounds more professional. '被' can sometimes sound too forceful or accidental in this context.
- Mistake 5: Confusing with '赞扬' (zànyáng)
- '赞扬' is high-level praise but doesn't necessarily come from an authority. A newspaper can '赞扬' a kind stranger. But only an authority can '嘉奖' someone.
社会各界纷纷赞扬（不是嘉奖）他的无私奉献。
By keeping '嘉奖' in the 'official/formal' bucket of your brain, you'll avoid these common errors and use the word with the appropriate gravitas.
Chinese has a rich vocabulary for 'praise' and 'reward'. Choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and whether a physical prize is involved. Here is how 嘉奖 compares to its closest relatives.
- 嘉奖 (jiājiǎng) vs. 表彰 (biǎozhāng)
- These two are very similar. However, 表彰 (to honor/cite) is even more public. It often involves a ceremony or a public meeting where the person's deeds are 'displayed' (彰) as an example. 嘉奖 is the act of commending, while 表彰 is the act of holding someone up as a public model.
大会表彰了全国劳动模范。
奖励 (jiǎnglì): This is the most common word. It is a 'reward' (奖) to 'encourage' (励). It almost always implies something tangible, like money or a gift. You can 奖励 a child with candy, but you wouldn't 嘉奖 them with candy.
- 嘉奖 (jiājiǎng) vs. 表扬 (biǎoyáng)
- 表扬 is 'to praise' or 'to commend' in a general sense. It's used in schools, at home, and in the workplace. It is less formal than 嘉奖. If a boss says 'good job' in an email, it's 表扬. If they issue an official memo, it's 嘉奖.
老师在班上表扬了他乐于助人的精神。
褒奖 (bāojiǎng): This is a very literary, slightly old-fashioned version of 嘉奖. It is often used in written literature or historical contexts to mean 'to praise and reward'. It carries a sense of high moral approval.
- 赞扬 (zànyáng) / 赞许 (zànxǔ)
- 赞扬 is 'to speak highly of'. It focuses on the verbal expression of admiration. 赞许 is 'to praise with approval,' often used for a look or a small gesture of approval from a superior.
他投去一个赞许的目光。
Choosing between these words allows you to fine-tune your social status and the weight of your message. In a formal report, stick with 嘉奖 or 表彰; in a daily conversation, stick with 表扬 or 夸.
مثالها بر اساس سطح
老师嘉奖了那个好学生。
The teacher commended that good student.
Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.
他因为帮了人而受到嘉奖。
He was commended because he helped someone.
Using '受到' (received) to indicate passive commendation.
公司嘉奖了努力工作的员工。
The company rewarded the hardworking employees.
'员工' is the object being commended.
你会得到嘉奖的。
You will get a reward/commendation.
Using '会...的' for future certainty.
这是一个很大的嘉奖。
This is a big commendation.
Here '嘉奖' is used as a noun.
校长嘉奖了他的勇敢。
The principal commended his bravery.
'勇敢' (bravery) is the abstract object of the commendation.
我们要嘉奖表现好的人。
We want to commend people who perform well.
'表现好的人' is a noun phrase acting as the object.
他获得了嘉奖。
He obtained a commendation.
'获得' (to obtain/get) is a common verb to pair with the noun '嘉奖'.
经理决定嘉奖表现最出色的团队。
The manager decided to commend the best-performing team.
'决定' (decide) + verb '嘉奖'.
他在比赛中赢了，受到了学校的嘉奖。
He won the competition and received a commendation from the school.
Compound sentence showing cause and effect.
这份嘉奖是对你工作的肯定。
This commendation is an affirmation of your work.
'对...的肯定' (affirmation of...) is a common collocation.
政府嘉奖了那些保护环境的市民。
The government commended those citizens who protected the environment.
Relative clause '保护环境的' modifying '市民'.
他没有想到会得到这么高的嘉奖。
He didn't expect to receive such a high commendation.
'没想到' (didn't expect) + result.
警察局嘉奖了那位见义勇为的英雄。
The police station commended that hero who acted bravely for a just cause.
'见义勇为' is a common idiom often associated with '嘉奖'.
每个月，公司都会嘉奖一名优秀员工。
Every month, the company commends an outstanding employee.
Frequency word '每个月' + '都会' (habitual action).
他因为诚实而受到了老师的嘉奖。
He was commended by the teacher for his honesty.
'因为...而...' (because of... then...).
由于在抗洪救灾中的突出贡献，他受到了上级的嘉奖。
Due to his outstanding contribution in flood relief, he was commended by his superiors.
Formal preposition '由于' (due to) starts the sentence.
通令嘉奖是军队中一种非常高的荣誉。
A general order of commendation is a very high honor in the army.
'通令嘉奖' is a fixed term (noun phrase here).
董事会一致通过了嘉奖研发部的提议。
The board of directors unanimously passed the proposal to commend the R&D department.
'通过...提议' (pass a proposal).
他多次受到嘉奖，是大家学习的榜样。
He has been commended many times and is a role model for everyone to learn from.
'学习的榜样' (role model) is a standard follow-up to '嘉奖'.
虽然只是一次口头嘉奖，但他依然感到非常自豪。
Although it was only a verbal commendation, he still felt very proud.
'虽然...但...' (although... but...).
为了鼓励先进，学校决定嘉奖一批优秀毕业生。
In order to encourage excellence, the school decided to commend a group of outstanding graduates.
'为了...' (in order to) indicates the purpose.
他的嘉奖令被贴在了单位的公告栏上。
His order of commendation was posted on the unit's bulletin board.
'嘉奖令' (commendation order) is the subject.
给予立功人员嘉奖是我们的惯例。
It is our practice to give commendations to those who have rendered meritorious service.
'给予...嘉奖' is a highly formal structure.
该市长签署了一项嘉奖令，表彰那些在火灾中救人的英雄。
The mayor signed a commendation order to honor the heroes who saved people in the fire.
Using '签署' (to sign) with '嘉奖令'.
他在科研领域的突破性进展使他获得了国家的嘉奖。
His breakthrough progress in the field of scientific research earned him a national commendation.
The subject is a complex noun phrase '他在科研领域的突破性进展'.
公司不仅给予了现金奖励，还对他进行了公开嘉奖。
The company not only gave a cash reward but also gave him a public commendation.
'不仅...还...' (not only... but also...).
嘉奖有功人员有助于提高整个团队的士气。
Commending those who have performed merits helps to boost the morale of the entire team.
'有助于' (helps to/contributes to) + verb phrase.
这份嘉奖状将永远保存在他的个人档案中。
This certificate of commendation will be permanently kept in his personal file.
'嘉奖状' (certificate of commendation).
他因在工作中表现出的高度责任感而受到嘉奖。
He was commended for the high sense of responsibility he showed in his work.
'因...而...' structure with an abstract noun '责任感'.
上级机关决定对该单位的先进事迹予以通报嘉奖。
The higher authorities decided to issue a circular of commendation for the advanced deeds of this unit.
'予以通报嘉奖' is a professional administrative phrase.
在阅兵式上，多位将领受到了统帅的嘉奖。
At the military parade, several generals were commended by the commander-in-chief.
Passive voice with '受到'.
政府对在脱贫攻坚战中涌现出的先进个人进行了嘉奖。
The government commended the advanced individuals who emerged in the battle against poverty.
Use of '涌现出' (to emerge in large numbers) in a formal context.
这种嘉奖机制旨在激发员工的创造力和忠诚度。
This commendation mechanism aims to stimulate employees' creativity and loyalty.
'旨在' (aims at) is a formal C1-level verb.
尽管取得了如此辉煌的成就，他依然保持谦逊，淡看所有的嘉奖。
Despite achieving such brilliant success, he remained humble and thought little of all the commendations.
'淡看' (to look upon indifferently/think little of).
有关部门正在拟定嘉奖名单，准备在国庆期间公布。
Relevant departments are drafting the commendation list, preparing to announce it during the National Day period.
'拟定' (to draft/formulate).
嘉奖令中详细列举了他的英勇事迹，读来令人动容。
The order of commendation listed his heroic deeds in detail, which were touching to read.
'令人动容' (moving/touching).
由于他在外交谈判中的卓越表现，元首亲自对其予以嘉奖。
Due to his outstanding performance in diplomatic negotiations, the head of state personally commended him.
'元首' (head of state) and '予以' (to grant).
他在学术上的造诣得到了国际同行的广泛嘉奖与认可。
His academic attainments have received wide commendation and recognition from international peers.
'造诣' (attainments/achievements).
嘉奖不仅是对过去的肯定，更是对未来的期许。
Commendation is not only an affirmation of the past but also an expectation for the future.
'不仅是...更是...' (not only... but even more...).
此番嘉奖，不仅昭示了朝廷的恩典，更体现了其对边疆安定的重视。
This commendation not only shows the grace of the imperial court but also reflects its emphasis on the stability of the border.
Highly formal, semi-archaic vocabulary like '昭示' and '恩典'.
在历史的长河中，无数英雄因其气节而受到后世的嘉奖与传颂。
In the long river of history, countless heroes have been commended and praised by future generations for their integrity.
'传颂' (to praise and spread about).
行政嘉奖作为一种激励手段，在现代科层组织中发挥着不可替代的作用。
As a means of incentive, administrative commendation plays an irreplaceable role in modern bureaucratic organizations.
'科层组织' (bureaucratic organization) is academic terminology.
他将那枚嘉奖勋章视若珍宝，那是他戎马一生的最高见证。
He regarded that commendation medal as a treasure; it was the ultimate witness to his lifelong military career.
'戎马一生' (a life in the military) and '视若珍宝' (to treasure highly).
由于其在社会公益事业中的卓越贡献，他被嘉奖为“年度慈善家”。
Due to his outstanding contribution to social public welfare, he was commended as the 'Philanthropist of the Year'.
'被嘉奖为' (to be commended as).
嘉奖之词虽溢于言表，但其实际意义远超文字本身。
Although the words of commendation were overflowing, their practical significance far exceeded the text itself.
'溢于言表' (to overflow in words/expression).
这种跨国界的嘉奖，象征着人类对共同价值观的追求与认同。
This cross-border commendation symbolizes humanity's pursuit and recognition of common values.
'跨国界' (transnational/cross-border).
在那个动荡的年代，一份来自组织的嘉奖往往意味着巨大的精神慰藉。
In those turbulent times, a commendation from the organization often meant great spiritual comfort.
'精神慰藉' (spiritual comfort/solace).
مثال
他因表现优异而获得了嘉奖。
محتوای مرتبط
این کلمه در زبانهای دیگر
واژههای بیشتر work
充裕的
B2Abundant, ample, or sufficient in quantity.
事故
A2تصادف یا حادثه ناگوار؛ رویداد ناخواسته ای که منجر به خسارت یا جراحت می شود. تصادف رانندگی یک 交通事故 است.
依照
A2依照 به معنای 'طبقِ' یا 'مطابق با' است.
准确地
A21. او به دقت (准确地) پاسخ داد. 2. سیستم موقعیت را به طور دقیق (准确地) شناسایی کرد.
做到
A2به دست آوردن; انجام دادن
积极地
A2به طور فعال؛ با اشتیاق. او به طور فعال در بحث شرکت می کند.
应变
B2Adaptive; capable of dealing with emergencies.
行政
A2اداره؛ مدیریت امور دولتی یا شرکتی.
过后
A2Afterwards; at a later or subsequent time.
赞同
A2تایید کردن، حمایت کردن؛ موافق بودن یا حمایت کردن از یک ایده، پیشنهاد یا اقدام.
