Explanation at your level:
Hello! Today we're learning the word 採用する (saiyō suru). It's a verb, like 'to eat' or 'to play'. This word has two main meanings. First, it means 'to hire'. This is when a company needs a new worker, and they choose you for the job! Like, 'The shop will hire new people.' Second, it means 'to adopt'. This is when you choose something new to use. Like, 'We will adopt a new rule.' It's a useful word for talking about jobs and new ideas!
Let's learn about the verb 採用する (saiyō suru). It's a very practical word. Its most common meaning is 'to hire' or 'to employ'. When a company needs someone to work for them, they 採用する that person. For example, 'The company decided to hire three new engineers.' The second meaning is 'to adopt' or 'to accept'. This is used when a group or person decides to start using a new method, policy, or idea. For example, 'The school will adopt a new learning system.' It's important to understand the context to know which meaning is being used.
The Japanese verb 採用する (saiyō suru) is a key term with two primary applications. Primarily, it signifies 'to hire' or 'to employ' someone. This is the standard verb used in professional contexts when discussing recruitment. For instance, 'The firm is looking to hire experienced staff.' It implies a formal selection process. Secondly, 採用する means 'to adopt', 'to accept', or 'to implement'. This applies to concepts, policies, technologies, or strategies. A common example would be, 'The government plans to adopt new environmental regulations.' Understanding the context is crucial to differentiate between these two meanings, both of which are common in business and general communication.
採用する (saiyō suru) is a significant verb in Japanese, denoting both the act of recruitment and the implementation of new ideas. In the realm of employment, it translates to 'to hire' or 'to employ', referring to the formal process of selecting and engaging an individual for a position. For example, 'The committee will hire a new director based on qualifications.' Beyond employment, it carries the meaning of 'to adopt', 'to embrace', or 'to take up', typically applied to policies, methods, technologies, or strategies. Consider the sentence, 'The company decided to adopt a flexible work policy.' The register is generally neutral to formal, making it suitable for business communications, news, and official documents. Nuance in context is key to distinguishing its usage.
The verb 採用する (saiyō suru) demonstrates a dual semantic function, operating within both human resources and strategic implementation contexts. Primarily, it signifies the formal act of 'hiring' or 'employing' personnel, indicating a definitive selection following a recruitment process. For instance, 'After rigorous interviews, the candidate was hired for the managerial role.' Concurrently, it denotes the adoption or acceptance of novel concepts, methodologies, or systems – essentially, 'to implement' or 'to take on'. An example would be, 'The research institute chose to adopt a new data analysis framework.' The verb carries a formal tone, appropriate for corporate discourse, policy documents, and academic writing. Mastery involves recognizing its application in diverse scenarios, from personnel selection to strategic decision-making regarding innovation and policy shifts.
採用する (saiyō suru) is a pivotal verb in Japanese, encapsulating the deliberate processes of both personnel acquisition and strategic assimilation. Its primary denotation is the formal act of 'hiring', implying a thorough vetting and selection procedure resulting in employment. This can range from hiring entry-level staff to appointing senior executives, e.g., 'The board resolved to hire a new CEO with extensive international experience.' In its secondary, yet equally significant, sense, it signifies the conscious decision to 'adopt', 'integrate', or 'institute' new paradigms, be they technological, procedural, or ideological. For example, 'The nation is poised to adopt a revised approach to sustainable development.' The verb's etymology, rooted in 'picking for use', subtly informs both meanings. Its formal register makes it indispensable in legal, corporate, and governmental spheres. Understanding 採用する deeply requires appreciating its historical usage in institutional development and its contemporary relevance in navigating change and talent management.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Verb meaning 'to hire' or 'to adopt'.
- Used for people (hiring) and ideas/policies/systems (adopting).
- Formal and common in business and official contexts.
- Context is crucial to determine the correct meaning.
Hey there! Let's dive into the Japanese verb 採用する (saiyō suru). It's a super useful word that pops up in a couple of key situations. Most commonly, it means 'to hire' or 'to employ' someone. Think about a company looking for new talent – when they pick someone and offer them a job, they are 採用する that person. It's all about making an official selection for a role.
But wait, there's more! 採用する also has another important meaning: 'to adopt' or 'to accept'. This applies when you decide to take on a new idea, a new method, a new policy, or even a new technology. For example, a school might 採用する a new teaching method, or a country might 採用する a new law. It's about embracing something new and putting it into practice. So, remember these two main flavors: hiring people and adopting new things!
The verb 採用する is a compound word, combining the noun 採用 (saiyō) with the verb する (suru), which means 'to do'. The core part, 採用 (saiyō), itself comes from Chinese characters. The first character, 採 (sai), means 'to pick', 'to gather', or 'to collect'. The second character, 用 (yō), means 'use', 'utility', or 'employment'. Put together, 採用 literally means something like 'to pick for use' or 'to gather for employment'.
Historically, these characters have long been used in East Asian languages to denote selection and application. In Japanese, the combination 採用 came to specifically mean the act of selecting someone for a position or adopting a method. Its usage solidified over time, particularly as Japan modernized and developed its corporate and governmental structures, requiring clear terms for hiring practices and policy adoption. The verb する is a general-purpose verb in Japanese, used to turn nouns and other word stems into verbs, making 採用する a straightforward way to express the action of 'adopting' or 'hiring'.
採用する is a versatile verb, but its usage generally falls into two main categories: employment and adoption. When talking about jobs, you'll often hear it in contexts like 新入社員を採用する (shinnyū shain o saiyō suru) – 'to hire new employees', or 正社員を採用する (seishain o saiyō suru) – 'to hire a regular employee'. It's the standard term for recruitment processes in companies, government offices, and other organizations.
In the sense of 'to adopt', 採用する is used for ideas, policies, methods, or even technologies. For instance, 新しいシステムを採用する (atarashii shisutemu o saiyō suru) means 'to adopt a new system', and 方針を採用する (hōshin o saiyō suru) means 'to adopt a policy'. The choice between the 'hiring' and 'adopting' meaning is usually clear from the context. The particle 'を' (o) typically marks the object – the person being hired or the thing being adopted.
Regarding formality, 採用する is a neutral to formal term. You'd use it in business settings, official announcements, and news reports. In very casual conversation among close friends, you might use simpler terms if the context allows, but 採用する is widely understood and appropriate in most professional and semi-formal situations. It carries a sense of official selection and implementation.
While 採用する itself isn't typically embedded in many highly idiomatic expressions, the concept of selection and adoption it represents is common. Here are some related phrases and concepts:
- 採用試験 (saiyō shiken): This refers to an 'employment examination' or 'recruitment test'. It's the test candidates take when a company is looking to hire. Example: 彼は採用試験に合格した (Kare wa saiyō shiken ni gōkaku shita) - He passed the employment examination.
- 採用担当者 (saiyō tantōsha): This means the 'person in charge of hiring' or 'recruitment manager'. They are the ones making the decisions. Example: 採用担当者に話を聞きました (Saiyō tantōsha ni hanashi o kikimashita) - I spoke with the hiring manager.
- 内定 (naitei): This is a 'conditional job offer' made to a candidate, usually before graduation. It's a crucial step before official 採用. Example: 大学卒業前に内定を得た (Daigaku sotsugyō mae ni naitei o eta) - I received a conditional job offer before graduating from university.
- 不採用 (fusaiyō): This is the opposite of 採用する, meaning 'rejection' or 'not being hired'. Example: 残念ながら不採用となりました (Zannen nagara fusaiyō to narimashita) - Unfortunately, I was not hired.
- 技術を採用する (gijutsu o saiyō suru): This phrase specifically means 'to adopt a technology'. It highlights the 'adoption' aspect of the verb. Example: 我が社は最新のAI技術を採用する予定です (Waga-sha wa saishin no AI gijutsu o saiyō suru yotei desu) - Our company plans to adopt the latest AI technology.
Pronunciation: The Japanese word 採用する is pronounced roughly as 'sai-yoh-oo-soo-roo'. The 'ō' sound is a long 'o', similar to the 'o' in 'go' but held slightly longer. The 'u' sound at the end is often very lightly pronounced or almost silent in natural speech, sounding more like 'sai-yoh-oo-s'roo'.
IPA (Approximation): UK: /saɪˈjɔː.su.ɾu/, US: /saɪˈjoʊ.su.ɾu/. The stress falls on the 'yō' syllable.
Grammar: 採用する is a Group 2 verb (ichidan verb) in Japanese, meaning its conjugation is relatively regular. It takes the particle 'を' (o) to mark its direct object – the person being hired or the thing being adopted. For example, 'to hire a person' is 人を採用する (hito o saiyō suru), and 'to adopt a method' is 方法を採用する (hōhō o saiyō suru).
Rhyming Words: Finding perfect rhymes in Japanese can be tricky due to its syllable structure. However, words ending in '-yō suru' might share a similar rhythm or feel, such as 活用する (katsuyō suru - to utilize) or 協力する (kyōryoku suru - to cooperate).
Common Errors: Learners might sometimes confuse the two main meanings ('hire' vs. 'adopt') if the context isn't clear. Also, mispronouncing the long 'ō' sound or dropping the final 'u' too much can affect clarity.
Fun Fact
The character 採 itself is composed of 'hand' (又) picking 'ear' (耳), suggesting gathering or selecting carefully.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'sigh-YOH-soo-roo', with the 'YOH' being a long 'o' sound.
Similar to UK, 'sigh-YOH-soo-roo', with the 'YOH' being a long 'o' sound, often pronounced slightly faster.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'ō' as a short 'o'.
- Omitting the final 'u' sound too much, making it sound abrupt.
- Incorrect stress, placing it too early or too late in the word.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Requires understanding context to differentiate meanings.
Choosing the correct meaning and conjugation.
Using the correct meaning in context.
Differentiating meaning based on context.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb Conjugation (Ichidan)
採用します, 採用した, 採用しない
Direct Object Particle 'を'
人<strong>を</strong>採用する
Passive Voice
採用される (to be hired/adopted)
Examples by Level
会社は新しい人を 採用する。
Company / new / person / hire.
The particle 'は' (wa) marks the topic. The particle 'を' (o) marks the direct object.
新しいおもちゃを 採用する。
New / toy / adopt.
Here, 'adopt' is the meaning.
彼らは私を 採用する。
They / me / hire.
Pronoun '彼ら' (karera) means 'they'.
この方法を 採用する。
This / method / adopt.
'この' (kono) means 'this'.
新しい先生を 採用する。
New / teacher / hire.
'先生' (sensei) means teacher.
新しいルールを 採用する。
New / rule / adopt.
'ルール' (rūru) is a loanword for 'rule'.
会社は私を 採用した。
Company / me / hired.
Past tense: 採用した (saiyō shita).
新しい計画を 採用する。
New / plan / adopt.
'計画' (keikaku) means plan.
その会社は優秀な人材を 採用する方針です。
That / company / excellent / talent / hire / policy / is.
'人材' (jinzai) means human resources/talent.
私たちは新しいマーケティング戦略を 採用することにしました。
We / new / marketing / strategy / adopt / decided.
'戦略' (senryaku) means strategy.
面接の結果、彼を 正社員として 採用しました。
Interview / result / he / full-time employee / as / hired.
'正社員' (seishain) means regular/full-time employee.
このプロジェクトでは、より効率的な方法を 採用する必要があります。
This / project / more / efficient / method / adopt / need.
'効率的' (kōritsuteki) means efficient.
多くの企業がリモートワークを 採用し始めています。
Many / companies / remote work / adopt / starting.
'リモートワーク' (rimōto wāku) is a loanword for remote work.
採用面接は来週行われます。
Hiring / interview / next week / will be held.
'面接' (mensetsu) means interview.
古いやり方を捨てて、新しい技術を 採用しよう。
Old / way / throw away / new / technology / adopt.
'～しよう' (shiyō) is a volitional form, suggesting 'let's...'
最終的に、提案された二つの案のうち一つを 採用した。
Finally / proposed / two / proposals / among / one / adopted.
'提案' (teian) means proposal.
当社では、経験豊富な候補者の中から最適な人材を 採用いたします。
Our company / experienced / candidates / from among / optimal / talent / hire.
'当社' (tōsha) means 'our company'. '-いたします' (-itashimasu) is a humble form of '-します' (-shimasu).
政府は、経済活性化のために新たな財政政策を 採用する見込みです。
Government / economic revitalization / for / new / fiscal policy / adopt / prospect.
'財政政策' (zaisei seisaku) means fiscal policy.
このソフトウェアは、ユーザーフレンドリーなインターフェースを 採用している点が評価されています。
This / software / user-friendly / interface / adopt / point / evaluated.
'インターフェース' (intāfēsu) is a loanword for interface.
採用プロセスを合理化し、より迅速な決定を目指しています。
Hiring / process / streamline / more / swift / decision / aiming.
'合理化する' (gōrika suru) means to rationalize or streamline.
長年の課題解決のため、従来とは異なるアプローチを 採用する必要がある。
Many years / problem-solving / for / traditional / different / approach / adopt / need.
'従来' (jūrai) means traditional or conventional.
採用されたアイデアは、チーム全員の承認を得てから実施に移されます。
Adopted / idea / team / all / approval / get / then / implementation / moved.
'承認' (shōnin) means approval.
私たちは、持続可能な開発目標を達成するために、新しい技術を採用することを決定しました。
We / sustainable / development goals / achieve / to / new / technology / adopt / decided.
'持続可能な開発目標' (jizoku kanō na kaihatsu mokuhyō) means Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
不採用の連絡を受けたときは、非常に落胆しましたが、次の機会に向けて頑張ります。
Not hired / contact / received / when / very / disappointed / but / next / opportunity / towards / will do my best.
'落胆する' (rakutan suru) means to be disappointed.
同社は、グローバル市場での競争力強化のため、革新的な経営戦略を採用する方針を固めた。
That company / global market / competitiveness / strengthening / for / innovative / management strategy / adopt / policy / solidified.
'競争力強化' (kyōsōryoku kyōka) means strengthening competitiveness.
教育現場では、生徒一人ひとりの個性に合わせた個別指導プランを採用することが推奨されている。
Education field / student / each one / individuality / match / individualized instruction plan / adopt / recommended.
'個別指導プラン' (kobetsu shidō puran) means individualized instruction plan.
採用担当者は、候補者のスキルだけでなく、企業文化への適合性も重視すると述べた。
Hiring manager / candidate's / skills / not only / corporate culture / fit / also / emphasize / stated.
'適合性' (tekigōsei) means suitability or compatibility.
そのスタートアップは、従来のビジネスモデルにとらわれず、全く新しい収益モデルを採用した。
That startup / traditional / business model / bound by / completely new / revenue model / adopt.
'収益モデル' (shūeki moderu) means revenue model.
環境問題への意識の高まりを受け、多くの企業がサステナビリティを重視した事業運営を採用している。
Environmental issues / awareness / rising / receiving / many / companies / sustainability / emphasize / business operations / adopt.
'事業運営' (jigyō un'ei) means business operations.
最終選考に残った数名の中から、最もプロジェクトに適任と思われる人物を 採用する予定です。
Final selection / remaining / several people / from among / most / project / suitable / person / hire / plan.
'適任' (tekinin) means suitable or qualified.
この地域では、高齢化社会に対応するため、新しい福祉サービスを 採用する必要がある。
This region / aging society / respond / to / new / welfare services / adopt / need.
'高齢化社会' (kōreika shakai) means aging society.
不採用の通知は残念でしたが、この経験を糧にして、次の挑戦に臨みます。
Rejection / notification / was disappointing / but / this / experience / as nourishment / next / challenge / face.
'糧にする' (kate ni suru) means to use something as nourishment or a stepping stone.
当該企業は、デジタルトランスフォーメーションを推進するため、先進的なITインフラの導入と運用体制の確立を 採用した。
The company in question / digital transformation / promote / for / advanced / IT infrastructure / introduction / operational structure / establishment / adopt.
'当該企業' (tōgai kigyō) means 'the company in question'. 'デジタルトランスフォーメーション' (dejitaru toransufōmēshon) is digital transformation.
教育カリキュラムにおいては、批判的思考力と創造性を涵養するような、よりアクティブな学習手法を 採用することが求められている。
Educational curriculum / critical thinking ability / creativity / cultivate / active / learning methods / adopt / required.
'涵養する' (kanyō suru) means to cultivate or foster.
採用面接では、候補者の職務経歴や専門知識に加え、潜在的なリーダーシップ能力や問題解決能力を多角的に評価する手法を 採用している。
Hiring interview / candidate's / work history / expertise / in addition / potential / leadership ability / problem-solving ability / from multiple angles / evaluate / methods / adopt.
'多角的' (takakuteki) means multifaceted or from multiple angles.
その芸術家は、伝統的な技法に固執せず、現代的な素材と革新的なコンセプトを 採用することで、独自の જો (style)を確立した。
That artist / traditional techniques / adhere to / not / contemporary materials / innovative concepts / adopt / by / unique / style / established.
'技法' (gihō) means technique or method.
気候変動への対応策として、各国政府は再生可能エネルギーへの移行を加速させ、化石燃料への依存度を低減する政策を 採用しつつある。
Climate change / response measures / as / each country's government / renewable energy / transition / accelerate / fossil fuels / dependency / reduce / policies / adopt.
'再生可能エネルギー' (saisei kanō enerugī) means renewable energy.
選考プロセスにおいては、公平性と透明性を担保するため、客観的な評価基準に基づいた選考方法を 採用することが肝要である。
Selection process / fairness / transparency / guarantee / for / objective / evaluation criteria / based on / selection method / adopt / essential.
'担保する' (tanpo suru) means to guarantee or secure.
この研究では、従来の手法では捉えきれなかった現象を解明するため、最新の計算科学的手法を 採用した。
This research / traditional methods / capture / not possible / phenomena / elucidate / for / latest / computational scientific methods / adopt.
'計算科学的手法' (keisan kagaku teki shuhō) means computational scientific methods.
不採用の決定に至った経緯については、候補者への配慮から詳細な説明は差し控えさせていただいております。
Rejection / decision / led to / background / regarding / candidate / towards / consideration / detailed explanation / refrain from / doing.
'経緯' (keii) means background or circumstances. '差し控えさせていただく' (sashihikaesasete itadaku) is a polite way to say 'refrain from'.
当該組織は、組織再編に伴い、抜本的な人事制度改革に着手し、成果主義に基づく新たな評価・報酬体系を 採用するに至った。
The organization in question / organizational restructuring / accompany / fundamental / personnel system reform / start / performance-based / new / evaluation/compensation system / adopt / reached.
'抜本的' (bapponteki) means radical or fundamental. '成果主義' (seika shugi) means meritocracy or performance-based system.
教育哲学の観点からは、画一的な知識伝達モデルから脱却し、学習者中心の探求型学習アプローチを 採用することが、現代社会における知の創造に不可欠であると論じられている。
Educational philosophy / viewpoint / from / uniform / knowledge transmission model / break away / learner-centered / inquiry-based learning approach / adopt / modern society / knowledge creation / indispensable / argued.
'画一的' (kakuitsuteki) means uniform or standardized. '探求型学習' (tankyū-gata gakushū) means inquiry-based learning.
採用面接におけるコンピテンシー・ベースド・インタビュイング（CBI）は、過去の行動実績から将来のパフォーマンスを予測する科学的根拠に基づいた手法であり、その採用は客観性と信頼性の向上に寄与する。
Hiring interview / competency-based interviewing / past / behavioral record / future / performance / predict / scientific evidence / based on / method / its adoption / objectivity / reliability / improvement / contributes.
'コンピテンシー・ベースド・インタビュイング' (konpitenshī bēsu do intabyuinggu) is Competency-Based Interviewing.
その批評家は、現代美術におけるポストモダニズムの潮流を踏まえつつも、古典的な構成原理と現代的な感性を融合させた独自の表現様式を 採用した。
That critic / contemporary art / postmodernism / trend / while considering / classical / compositional principles / modern sensibility / fuse / unique / expressive style / adopt.
'潮流' (chōryū) means trend or current.
地球規模での持続可能性へのコミットメントを具体化するため、国際社会は循環型経済モデルへの移行を加速し、資源の効率的利用と廃棄物削減を徹底する政策的枠組みを 採用する方向性を模索している。
Global scale / sustainability / commitment / concretize / for / international community / circular economy model / transition / accelerate / resources / efficient utilization / waste reduction / thorough / policy framework / adopt / direction / exploring.
'循環型経済モデル' (junkan-gata keizai moderu) means circular economy model.
採用選考におけるバイアスを最小化し、真に能力のある人材を発掘するためには、構造化された面接プロトコルと多面的な評価ツールの体系的な採用が不可欠である。
Hiring selection / bias / minimize / truly / capable / talent / discover / for / structured / interview protocol / multifaceted / evaluation tools / systematic adoption / indispensable.
'構造化された' (kōzōka sareta) means structured.
本研究は、従来のアプローチでは解明が困難であった量子現象の挙動を、最新の計算物理学的手法と高度なデータ解析技術を駆使して 採用し、そのメカニズムの理解を飛躍的に深化させるものである。
This research / traditional approaches / elucidation / difficult / quantum phenomena / behavior / latest / computational physics methods / advanced / data analysis techniques / utilize / adopt / its mechanism / understanding / dramatically deepen.
'駆使して' (kushi shite) means to make full use of.
不採用の決定に至った理由について、候補者へのフィードバックは、法的・倫理的制約を遵守しつつ、建設的かつ丁寧な表現を 採用して行われるべきである。
Rejection / decision / led to / reasons / regarding / candidate / feedback / legal / ethical constraints / comply / constructive / polite / expressions / adopt / should be done.
'遵守しつつ' (junshu shi tsutsu) means while complying with.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"不採用となる (fusaiyō to naru)"
To be rejected (for a job or proposal).
残念ながら、今回の選考では不採用となってしまいました。
neutral"採用の可否 (saiyō no kafi)"
The possibility or decision of whether someone will be hired or something will be adopted.
採用の可否については、来週中にご連絡いたします。
formal"採用面接 (saiyō mensetsu)"
A job interview; an interview conducted for the purpose of hiring.
採用面接では、あなたの強みについて詳しく聞かせてください。
neutral"内定を得る (naitei o eru)"
To receive a conditional job offer (before official hiring).
卒業前に内定を得ることができて安心しました。
neutral"採用枠を広げる (saiyō waku o hirogeru)"
To expand the number of positions available for hiring.
会社の成長に伴い、採用枠を広げることになりました。
formal"採用の決断を下す (saiyō no ketsudan o kudasu)"
To make the decision to hire someone.
最終的に、どの候補者を採用の決断を下すか、会議で話し合いました。
formalEasily Confused
Both mean 'to hire'.
雇う is a general verb for hiring/employing. 採用する is more formal, implies selection, and also means 'to adopt'.
会社が新しい人を雇った。(General hiring) vs. 会社が優秀な人材を採用した。(Formal selection/hiring)
Can mean 'to accept' or 'adopt'.
受け入れる is broader, meaning to accept or receive. 採用する implies a more deliberate, formal selection or adoption process.
彼の提案を受け入れた。(Accepted his proposal - casual) vs. 新しい方針を採用した。(Adopted a new policy - formal)
Both mean 'to adopt'.
採択する is specifically used for adopting proposals, resolutions, or plans, often in meetings or official contexts. 採用する is broader and can apply to policies, methods, and people.
会議で提案を採択した。(Adopted the proposal at the meeting) vs. 新しいシステムを採用した。(Adopted a new system - broader)
Both mean 'to introduce' or 'implement' (related to adoption).
導入する specifically means to introduce or implement something new, like a system or technology. 採用する can also mean adopt, but 導入する focuses more on the act of bringing something new into use.
新しいソフトウェアを導入した。(Introduced new software) vs. 新しい働き方を採用した。(Adopted a new way of working - broader)
Sentence Patterns
Noun (Person/Thing) + を (o) + 採用する
会社は新しいエンジニアを<strong>採用する</strong>。
Noun (Policy/Method) + を (o) + 採用する
政府は新しい政策を<strong>採用する</strong>だろう。
Noun (Thing) + は (wa) + Noun (Thing) + を (o) + 採用する
この車は最新の安全技術<strong>を採用している</strong>。
Noun (Person) + は (wa) + Noun (Position) + として (toshite) + 採用される
彼はプロジェクトマネージャーとして<strong>採用された</strong>。
Noun (Situation) + のため (no tame) + Noun (Thing) + を (o) + 採用する
効率化のため、新しいシステム<strong>を採用する</strong>。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
採用する implies a formal selection process, not just casual agreement.
These verbs have completely different meanings and contexts.
採用する is not used for adopting a child; that requires specific legal terms.
Ichidan verbs are generally easier to conjugate than godan verbs.
採用する often implies a more significant or official adoption.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a 'Sai'nt (Saint) who was 'YO'ung and 'U'sed a 'Roo'm (room) to start his business. He was 'hired' (採用) for his innovative idea!
When Native Speakers Use It
Listen for 採用する when companies announce new hires, when governments discuss new policies, or when businesses talk about implementing new technology.
Cultural Insight
The Japanese ability to use one verb for both hiring people and adopting ideas highlights a cultural tendency to see processes of selection and implementation as conceptually similar.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember the pattern: [Person/Thing] を (o) 採用する. This simple structure applies to both meanings.
Say It Right
Focus on the long 'ō' sound in 'sai-yō'. Practice saying 'sai-YOH-soo-roo' slowly, then speed up.
Don't Make This Mistake
Avoid using 採用する for adopting a child. Use 養子にする (yōshi ni suru) instead.
Did You Know?
The Kanji 採 (sai) literally means 'hand picking', emphasizing the selection aspect central to both meanings of 採用する.
Study Smart
Create flashcards with 'Hiring' on one side and 'Adopting' on the other, with 採用する in the middle. Test yourself on the context.
Distinguishing Meanings
Always check the object of the verb. If it's a person, it's likely 'hire'. If it's a policy, system, or idea, it's 'adopt'.
Verb Type
Remember 採用する is an ichidan (Group 2) verb, making its conjugation predictable and relatively easy!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'Sai'nt (Saint) who is 'YO'ung and 'U'sed a 'Roo'm (room) to 'S'tart his business - he was hired for it!
Visual Association
Picture a hand (採) picking a person (用) from a crowd for a job.
Word Web
Challenge
Try using 採用する in sentences for both hiring and adopting. For example: 'I want to 採用する a new hobby.' and 'The company will 採用する new staff.'
Word Origin
Chinese-Japanese (Kanji)
Original meaning: To pick (採) for use (用).
Cultural Context
When discussing hiring, sensitivity around fairness, discrimination, and equal opportunity is important, just as in any culture.
In English-speaking cultures, 'hiring' and 'adopting' are distinct concepts. While 'adopt' can sometimes be used metaphorically for ideas ('adopt a strategy'), it's not typically used for hiring people. The Japanese 採用する bridges these concepts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Job Recruitment
- 新入社員を採用する (to hire new employees)
- 採用面接 (hiring interview)
- 採用担当者 (hiring manager)
Policy Making
- 新しい方針を採用する (to adopt a new policy)
- 法案を採用する (to adopt a bill)
- 国際基準を採用する (to adopt international standards)
Technology Implementation
- 新しい技術を採用する (to adopt new technology)
- システムを採用する (to adopt a system)
- ソフトウェアを採用する (to adopt software)
Business Strategy
- 新しい戦略を採用する (to adopt a new strategy)
- 経営モデルを採用する (to adopt a management model)
- マーケティング手法を採用する (to adopt marketing methods)
Conversation Starters
"What kind of people does your company like to hire?"
"Have you ever had to adopt a new way of doing things at work?"
"What's one new technology you think companies should adopt?"
"If you were hiring someone, what qualities would you look for?"
"What's a policy you think our school/country should adopt?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you had to adopt a new skill or method for work or study.
Imagine you are a hiring manager. What are the most important qualities you look for in a candidate?
Write about a new policy you think would be beneficial if adopted by your community.
Reflect on a job you applied for. What do you think their hiring criteria might have been?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions採用する implies a more formal selection process and can also mean 'to adopt'. 雇う is a more general term for 'to hire' or 'to employ'.
While technically possible, it's more common and natural to use terms like 引き取る (hikitoru) or 飼う (kau - to own/raise) for pets. 採用する leans towards more formal adoptions.
Yes, absolutely. It's very common to use 採用する when talking about adopting new ideas, methods, policies, or technologies.
For hiring, the opposite is often 解雇する (kaiko suru - to dismiss/fire) or 不採用 (fusaiyō - rejection). For adopting, it could be 却下する (kyakka suru - to reject/dismiss) or 捨てる (suteru - to throw away/discard).
Context is key! If the object is a person or related to employment, it means 'to hire'. If it's an idea, policy, or system, it means 'to adopt'.
It's generally considered neutral to formal. It's appropriate for business, official announcements, and most semi-formal situations.
It means 'employment examination' or 'recruitment test'.
No, for adopting a child, specific legal terms like 養子にする (yōshi ni suru) are used. 採用する is not appropriate in this context.
Test Yourself
会社は新しい人を ____。
The sentence talks about a company and a new person, indicating hiring.
「新しいシステムを採用する」の「採用する」の意味は？ (What is the meaning of 'saiyō suru' in 'adopt a new system'?)
When used with 'system', 'adopt' or 'implement' is the correct meaning.
「採用する」は、提案を却下するときにも使われます。(Saiyō suru is also used when rejecting a proposal.)
採用する means to accept or adopt. The opposite of rejecting is accepting.
Word
Meaning
This exercise helps differentiate the two main meanings and related terms.
The correct sentence is '会社は新しい社員を３人採用する。' (The company will hire 3 new employees.)
このプロジェクトでは、より効率的な方法を ____ する必要があります。
The context of needing a more efficient method points to adopting or implementing it.
Which phrase best describes the 'adoption' meaning of 採用する in a formal business context?
In formal business, 採用する often refers to implementing strategies, policies, or systems.
当社では、経験豊富な候補者の中から最適な人材を ____ いたします。
The phrase '最適な人材' (optimal talent) and the formal verb ending '-いたします' suggest hiring.
「採用する」 can be used to describe the process of adopting a child legally.
Adopting a child uses specific terms like 養子にする (yōshi ni suru), not 採用する.
地球規模での持続可能性へのコミットメントを具体化するため、国際社会は循環型経済モデルへの移行を加速し、資源の効率的利用と廃棄物削減を徹底する政策的枠組みを ____ しつつある。
The context discusses global policies and models, indicating adoption or implementation.
Score: /10
Summary
採用する is your go-to verb for both officially bringing someone on board and officially bringing a new idea or system into practice.
- Verb meaning 'to hire' or 'to adopt'.
- Used for people (hiring) and ideas/policies/systems (adopting).
- Formal and common in business and official contexts.
- Context is crucial to determine the correct meaning.
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a 'Sai'nt (Saint) who was 'YO'ung and 'U'sed a 'Roo'm (room) to start his business. He was 'hired' (採用) for his innovative idea!
When Native Speakers Use It
Listen for 採用する when companies announce new hires, when governments discuss new policies, or when businesses talk about implementing new technology.
Cultural Insight
The Japanese ability to use one verb for both hiring people and adopting ideas highlights a cultural tendency to see processes of selection and implementation as conceptually similar.
Grammar Shortcut
Remember the pattern: [Person/Thing] を (o) 採用する. This simple structure applies to both meanings.
Example
弊社では新しいプロジェクトのために数名のエンジニアを採用します。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More work words
調整
A1The act of making small changes to something to achieve a desired fit, function, or balance. In a work context, it specifically refers to coordinating schedules or aligning different opinions to reach an agreement.
有利な
B1Advantageous or favorable.
承知する
B1To acknowledge, agree; to be aware of and consent to something.
年収
B1Annual income; yearly salary.
応募
B1To apply for a position, a competition, a prize, or a public offer. It indicates a proactive step to participate in something.
応募する
B1To apply for a job or position.
勤怠
B1Attendance record; presence or absence from work.
係員
A2Person in charge; attendant.
～と同時に
B1At the same time as, simultaneously with.
ぎんこういん
A2Bank employee.
