In 15 Seconds
- Official term for being hired by a company.
- Commonly used in HR emails and job offers.
- Implies a formal selection process has ended.
Meaning
This is the 'magic word' you hear when you land a job. It means an organization has officially decided to hire you and bring you onto the team.
Key Examples
3 of 6Sharing good news with family
妈，我被那家公司录用了！
Mom, I was hired by that company!
An HR manager calling a candidate
恭喜你，我们决定录用你。
Congratulations, we have decided to hire you.
Asking a friend about their interview result
他们录用你了吗？
Did they hire you?
Cultural Background
The term 'lù' (录) refers to recording someone's name in official annals, a practice dating back to ancient Chinese civil service exams. Being 'recorded' meant you were now part of the elite state system, which is why the word still feels very official and prestigious today.
The 'Passive' Power
If you want to say 'I got the job,' always use '我被录用了' (Wǒ bèi lùyòng le). Without 'bèi,' it sounds like you are the one doing the hiring!
Don't mix with school
If you get into a university, use '录取' (lùqǔ). Using '录用' for school makes it sound like the professor is paying you to be a student.
In 15 Seconds
- Official term for being hired by a company.
- Commonly used in HR emails and job offers.
- Implies a formal selection process has ended.
What It Means
录用 (lùyòng) is the official way to say 'hired.' Think of it as the moment your name goes from a pile of resumes into the company's permanent records. It is more than just a casual 'you got the job.' It implies a formal decision has been made by a company or school.
How To Use It
You will usually see this in emails or hear it from HR. It acts as a verb. You can say a company 录用 someone. You can also say you were 被录用 (bèi lùyòng), which means 'was hired.' It is like the golden ticket in the professional world.
When To Use It
Use this when discussing job offers or university admissions. It is perfect for professional settings. Use it when telling your parents the good news. Use it when writing a formal acceptance letter. It sounds polished and serious. It is the language of success and new beginnings.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for casual help. If you pay a friend to help you move, don't use 录用. That would sound like you are starting a moving company in your living room. Avoid it for temporary chores or 'under the table' gigs. It is too heavy for a one-afternoon task. Stick to 请 (qǐng) for casual help.
Cultural Background
In China, getting 'recorded' (录) is a big deal. Historically, this traces back to the imperial examinations. Being 'recorded' meant your name was on the official list of winners. Today, it still carries that weight of prestige. It is not just a paycheck; it is official recognition of your talent.
Common Variations
You might hear 录取 (lùqǔ) for school admissions. They are cousins. 录用 is for the office; 录取 is for the classroom. Another one is 聘用 (pìnyòng), which is even more formal. It is like the difference between 'hired' and 'appointed.' Keep it simple with 录用 for most career wins.
Usage Notes
This is a formal/neutral term. Use it in professional contexts or when reporting official news. Avoid using it for casual favors or unpaid tasks.
The 'Passive' Power
If you want to say 'I got the job,' always use '我被录用了' (Wǒ bèi lùyòng le). Without 'bèi,' it sounds like you are the one doing the hiring!
Don't mix with school
If you get into a university, use '录取' (lùqǔ). Using '录用' for school makes it sound like the professor is paying you to be a student.
The Red Envelope
In some Chinese companies, once you are '录用,' you might receive a small welcome gift or 'red envelope' on your first day to bring good luck to your career.
Examples
6妈，我被那家公司录用了！
Mom, I was hired by that company!
Using the passive 'bèi' to show you received the offer.
恭喜你，我们决定录用你。
Congratulations, we have decided to hire you.
Direct and professional confirmation of employment.
他们录用你了吗？
Did they hire you?
A common way to check on a friend's job hunt.
录用通知书已经发到您的邮箱了。
The offer letter has been sent to your email.
'Lùyòng tōngzhīshū' is the standard term for an offer letter.
如果你帮我洗碗，我就录用你当我的大厨。
If you help me wash dishes, I'll hire you as my head chef.
Using a formal word for a silly task creates humor.
公司录用员工的标准很高。
The company's standards for hiring employees are very high.
Used here as a general verb for the hiring process.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about a job offer.
经过三轮面试，公司终于决定___我了。
After interviews, a company 'hires' (录用) you.
How do you say 'I was hired'?
我___录用了。
The word '被' (bèi) is used to create the passive voice 'was hired'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Hiring Formality Scale
Asking a friend to help
找人帮忙 (zhǎo rén bāngmáng)
General talk about jobs
找到工作 (zhǎodào gōngzuò)
Official employment
录用 (lùyòng)
Where you will see '录用'
Email Inbox
Offer Letter
HR Office
Signing contracts
Job Portal
Application status
Dinner Table
Celebrating a new job
Practice Bank
2 exercises经过三轮面试，公司终于决定___我了。
After interviews, a company 'hires' (录用) you.
我___录用了。
The word '被' (bèi) is used to create the passive voice 'was hired'.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions录用 is for jobs and employment, while 录取 is for schools and universities. For example: 被公司录用 vs 被大学录取.
Yes, you can, but it still sounds a bit formal. For a very casual part-time gig, people often just say 找到兼职了 (found a part-time job).
It is primarily a verb meaning 'to hire,' but it can be part of a noun phrase like 录用通知 (hiring notice).
You would say 没被录用 (méi bèi lùyòng). It's a polite way to describe a rejection.
Yes, but usually when discussing the specific result of a job application. It's not a word you'd use every day unless you're in HR or job hunting.
Usually, yes. In a Chinese context, 录用 suggests a formal agreement is being established between the employer and employee.
Technically you could, but it would sound like a joke. It's too formal for family chores.
It is the official 'Offer Letter.' It is the document that proves you have been hired.
Yes, it is widely understood and used across the Mandarin-speaking world, including Taiwan and Singapore.
Forgetting the 被 (bèi) when you are the one getting the job. 我录用了 means 'I hired (someone),' not 'I was hired.'
Related Phrases
面试
Interview
录取
To admit (to school)
入职
To start a new job / Onboarding
招聘
To recruit / Recruitment
