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B1 noun #3,000 most common 8 min read

候选人

hou xuan ren
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 候选人 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 候选人 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you don't need to use '候选人' often, but you might see it in simple contexts like a classroom vote or a basic job ad. Think of it as 'the person we might pick.' You can remember it as 'wait' (候) + 'choose' (选) + 'person' (人). It is a person waiting to be chosen. For now, just recognize that it refers to a person in a list of choices. You might hear: 'Who is the candidate?' (谁是候选人？). Focus on the '人' part to remember it's a person.
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At the A2 level, you can start using '候选人' in simple sentences about jobs or school. You might say, 'There are three candidates' (有三个候选人). You should learn to use the measure word '位' (wèi) to be polite, like '三位候选人'. You might also see this word on posters for school club elections. It's important to distinguish it from '学生' (student) or '老师' (teacher)—it's a specific role someone has during a selection process.
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At the B1 level, you should be able to use '候选人' in professional and social discussions. You can talk about the qualities of a candidate, such as 'He is a good candidate' (他是一个很好的候选人). You will encounter this word in news reports about elections or in business emails about hiring. You should also start pairing it with verbs like '提名' (nominate) or '选择' (choose). You are expected to understand that this word is formal and appropriate for the workplace.
At the B2 level, you should use '候选人' with more complex modifiers and in varied contexts. You might discuss 'potential candidates' (潜在的候选人) or 'the final candidate' (最终候选人). You should be comfortable using it in debates about politics or corporate strategy. You will also notice it in more abstract ways, like 'a candidate for a prize.' You should understand the difference between '候选人' and '应聘者' (applicant) and use them correctly in business correspondence.
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At the C1 level, you should master the nuances of '候选人' in formal writing and high-level discussions. You might analyze the 'candidate's strengths and weaknesses' (候选人的优缺点) or discuss 'candidate screening criteria' (候选人筛选标准). You will encounter the word in legal documents, high-level political analysis, and academic papers. You should be able to use it fluently in complex sentence structures, such as '尽管该候选人资历尚浅，但其潜力不容小觑' (Although the candidate's qualifications are shallow, their potential cannot be underestimated).
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At the C2 level, '候选人' is a basic building block for sophisticated discourse. You will use it when discussing the intricacies of electoral systems, human capital management, or historical figures who were candidates for significant roles. You should be able to appreciate the word's use in literature or high-level journalism, where it might be used metaphorically. Your usage should be indistinguishable from a native speaker, perfectly choosing between '候选人', '竞选人', and '参选人' based on the subtle requirements of the register and context.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

候选人 in 30 Seconds

  • A noun meaning 'candidate' used for jobs, elections, and awards.
  • Formed by 'waiting' (候), 'choosing' (选), and 'person' (人).
  • Requires formal measure words like '位' or '名' in professional contexts.
  • Commonly paired with verbs like '提名' (nominate) and '筛选' (screen).

The term 候选人 (hòuxuǎnrén) is a fundamental noun in Mandarin Chinese that translates directly to 'candidate.' To understand its depth, one must look at its constituent characters. 候 (hòu) carries the meaning of 'waiting' or 'awaiting,' as seen in words like 等候 (děnghòu). 选 (xuǎn) means 'to choose' or 'to select,' found in words like 选择 (xuǎnzé). Finally, 人 (rén) simply means 'person.' Therefore, etymologically, a 候选人 is a 'person waiting to be selected.' This literal interpretation perfectly captures the essence of the word: it describes an individual who has entered a process—be it a job application, a political election, or an award nomination—and is now in a state of suspense, awaiting a final decision or vote.

Grammatical Function
Primarily functions as a countable noun. It often appears as the object of verbs like 提名 (tímíng - to nominate) or 筛选 (shāixuǎn - to screen/filter).
Scope of Use
Used in professional HR contexts, political science, academic admissions, and entertainment (award shows).

'在众多的候选人中，他脱颖而出。' (Among the many candidates, he stood out.)

— Common usage in recruitment reports

In a professional setting, the term is neutral and formal. It refers to anyone who has passed the initial application phase and is being seriously considered for a role. Unlike '应聘者' (yìngpìnzhě), which specifically means 'applicant' (someone who applied), 候选人 implies a higher status—you are not just someone who applied; you are someone the organization is actively considering. In politics, it refers to individuals officially on the ballot. For instance, '总统候选人' (zǒngtǒng hòuxuǎnrén) means 'presidential candidate.' The word carries a sense of potential and evaluation.

Furthermore, the word can be modified by various adjectives to specify the type of candidate. A '理想的候选人' (lǐxiǎng de hòuxuǎnrén) is an ideal candidate, while a '潜在的候选人' (qiánzài de hòuxuǎnrén) is a potential candidate. In the context of the Chinese 'Gaokao' or university admissions, it might refer to students who have met the preliminary score requirements for a specific prestigious institution. The versatility of the word across different domains makes it a high-frequency vocabulary item for intermediate learners.

'We are currently interviewing the final three candidates.' translates to '我们正在面试最后三位候选人。'
Measure Words
Use 位 (wèi) for formal/polite contexts, 名 (míng) for official lists/reports, and 个 (gè) for casual conversation.

Using 候选人 correctly involves understanding its collocation patterns and the appropriate measure words. Because it refers to people in a formal capacity, the choice of measure word significantly impacts the tone of your sentence. In a business meeting or a formal report, you should almost always use 位 (wèi) or 名 (míng). For example, '这三位候选人' (these three candidates) sounds much more professional than '这三个候选人'.

Common Verb Pairings

  • 提名 (tímíng): To nominate. '委员会提名了他作为候选人。' (The committee nominated him as a candidate.)
  • 筛选 (shāixuǎn): To screen or filter. '我们需要从五十人中筛选出五位候选人。' (We need to screen five candidates out of fifty.)
  • 确定 (quèdìng): To finalize/confirm. '最终候选人名单已经确定了。' (The final list of candidates has been confirmed.)
  • 面试 (miànshì): To interview. '今天下午我要面试两位候选人。' (I am going to interview two candidates this afternoon.)

When describing the qualities of a candidate, you can use a wide range of adjectives. If a candidate is very strong, you might call them a 有力候选人 (yǒulì hòuxuǎnrén)—a strong/formidable candidate. If they are the most likely to win or be hired, they are the 热门候选人 (rèmén hòuxuǎnrén). Conversely, a 'dark horse' candidate is often referred to as a 黑马候选人 (hēimǎ hòuxuǎnrén).

In complex sentences, 候选人 often acts as the subject or the head of a noun phrase. For instance: '所有候选人都必须提交一份详细的个人简历。' (All candidates must submit a detailed resume.) Here, it is the subject. In '这是我们最看好的候选人' (This is the candidate we are most optimistic about), it is the head of the noun phrase modified by a relative clause. Mastering these structures allows for precise communication in professional Chinese environments.

You will encounter 候选人 in several distinct environments, each with its own set of related vocabulary. Recognizing these contexts will help you grasp the nuances of the word.

1. The Corporate Office & HR

This is perhaps the most common place for learners to hear the word. During the recruitment process, HR managers and department heads will constantly discuss candidates. You'll hear it in phrases like '候选人池' (candidate pool) or '候选人体验' (candidate experience). If you are applying for a job in China, you are the 候选人 from the moment you pass the initial CV screening.

2. News and Politics

During election cycles—whether local, national, or international—news anchors will use this term incessantly. You will hear about '党内候选人' (internal party candidates) or '独立候选人' (independent candidates). The media often analyzes the '支持率' (approval rating) of different 候选人.

3. Award Ceremonies

From the Oscars (奥斯卡) to local literary prizes, those who are 'shortlisted' or 'nominated' are referred to as 候选人. For example, '最佳男主角候选人' (Candidates for Best Actor). In this context, it is synonymous with '入围者' (rùwéizhě - those who made the cut).

4. Reality TV and Competitions

In shows like 'The Voice' or 'Idol' competitions, the term 海选 (hǎixuǎn) is often used for the massive open auditions. Those who survive the 'sea-selection' become the official 候选人 for the next rounds. This has popularized the term in pop culture, making it feel less 'stiff' than it might in a political context.

Even though 候选人 is a straightforward noun, learners often make specific errors in its application. Understanding these pitfalls will make your Chinese sound more natural and professional.

1. Confusing 'Candidate' with 'Applicant'

Many learners use 候选人 when they actually mean 应聘者 (yìngpìnzhě). An 应聘者 is anyone who applies for a job. A 候选人 is someone who has been selected for further consideration. If 100 people apply, there are 100 应聘者, but perhaps only 5 候选人. Using 候选人 too early in the process can sound slightly inaccurate.

2. Measure Word Mismatch

Using 只 (zhī) or 条 (tiáo) is obviously wrong, but even overusing 个 (gè) can be a mistake in formal contexts. In a professional email, always prefer 位 (wèi). For example, '这位候选人非常有礼貌' (This candidate is very polite) is much better than '这个候选人...'.

3. Incorrect Verb Pairing

Learners sometimes say '做候选人' (to do a candidate). While understandable, the more professional way to say 'to be a candidate' is 作为候选人 (zuòwéi hòuxuǎnrén) or 成为候选人 (chéngwéi hòuxuǎnrén). Also, when you want to say 'to vote for a candidate,' use 投...的票 (tóu...de piào), not just '投票候选人'.

4. Character Stroke Order and Confusion

The character 候 (hòu) is often confused with 后 (hòu - after/behind). Remember that 候选人 needs the 'person' radical (亻) on the left of 候. Writing '后选人' is a common typo even for native speakers in a hurry, but it is technically incorrect.

To truly master 候选人, you must distinguish it from its synonyms and related terms. Each has a specific nuance and context.

1. 应聘者 (yìngpìnzhě)
Focuses on the act of applying. It is used almost exclusively in job recruitment. Anyone who sends a resume is an 应聘者.
Difference: 候选人 is more selective and can be used in politics/awards, while 应聘者 is strictly for jobs.
2. 竞选人 (jìngxuǎnrén)
Focuses on the act of competing (竞). This is specifically for elections where candidates are actively campaigning against each other.
Difference: All 竞选人 are 候选人, but not all 候选人 (like those for a job) are 竞选人.
3. 参选人 (cānxuǎnrén)
Focuses on the act of participating (参) in an election. It is very similar to 竞选人 but sounds slightly more formal and less aggressive.
Difference: Used mostly in political news reporting.
4. 入围者 (rùwéizhě)
Literally 'one who entered the circle.' This is used for finalists in competitions or awards.
Difference: It implies the person has already passed several rounds of elimination.

In summary, while 候选人 is the most versatile and common term, choosing the specific synonym can add precision to your speech. For example, if you are talking about a fierce political battle, 竞选人 might be more evocative. If you are discussing the initial pile of resumes on your desk, 应聘者 is the correct choice.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Writing 3/5

Grammar to Know

Measure words for people

Resultative complements (e.g., 筛选出)

Relative clauses with 的

Passive voice with 被

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Examples by Level

1

他是候选人吗？

Is he a candidate?

Simple question with 吗.

2

这里有五个候选人。

There are five candidates here.

Using 有 for existence.

3

我喜欢这个候选人。

I like this candidate.

Subject + Verb + Object.

4

谁是你的候选人？

Who is your candidate?

Question with 谁.

5

那个候选人很高。

That candidate is tall.

Adjective predicate.

6

候选人在哪里？

Where is the candidate?

Question with 在哪里.

7

这个候选人很聪明。

This candidate is very smart.

Using 很 with adjectives.

8

我不认识这个候选人。

I don't know this candidate.

Negative sentence with 不.

1

我们有三位候选人。

We have three candidates.

Using the polite measure word 位.

2

哪位候选人最好？

Which candidate is the best?

Question with 哪位.

3

第一位候选人很年轻。

The first candidate is very young.

Ordinal numbers with 第一.

4

他在等候选人的电话。

He is waiting for the candidate's call.

Possessive 的.

5

这位候选人很有经验。

This candidate is very experienced.

Noun phrase with 经验.

6

候选人明天来面试。

The candidate is coming for an interview tomorrow.

Time adverbial 明体.

7

请给这位候选人一杯水。

Please give this candidate a glass of water.

Imperative with 请.

8

这个职位的候选人很多。

There are many candidates for this position.

Topic-comment structure.

1

我们需要筛选出最合适的候选人。

We need to screen the most suitable candidate.

Resultative complement 筛选出.

2

委员会提名了四位候选人。

The committee nominated four candidates.

Verb 提名 (nominate).

3

这位候选人的表现令人印象深刻。

This candidate's performance was impressive.

Structure 令人...

4

最终候选人名单将于下周公布。

The final list of candidates will be announced next week.

Passive-like structure with 公布.

5

作为候选人，他感到很有压力。

As a candidate, he feels a lot of pressure.

Using 作为 (as/in the capacity of).

6

你对这位候选人有什么看法？

What is your opinion of this candidate?

Structure 对...有什么看法.

7

这位候选人具备所有必要的技能。

This candidate possesses all the necessary skills.

Verb 具备 (possess/have).

8

我们正在面试最后一名候选人。

We are interviewing the last candidate.

Progressive aspect 正在.

1

该候选人的背景与我们的需求非常匹配。

The candidate's background matches our needs perfectly.

Using 与...匹配.

2

在众多候选人中，她是最出色的一个。

Among many candidates, she is the most outstanding one.

Structure 在...中.

3

由于缺乏经验，这位候选人被淘汰了。

The candidate was eliminated due to a lack of experience.

Passive voice with 被.

4

我们需要对候选人进行背景调查。

We need to conduct a background check on the candidate.

Structure 对...进行...

5

这位候选人展现出了卓越的领导能力。

This candidate demonstrated exceptional leadership skills.

Resultative 展现出.

6

所有的候选人都必须通过笔试。

All candidates must pass a written test.

Modal verb 必须.

7

这位候选人的薪资期望超出了我们的预算。

This candidate's salary expectations exceed our budget.

Verb 超出 (exceed).

8

我们应该给这位候选人一个机会。

We should give this candidate a chance.

Double object structure 给...一个...

1

该职位的候选人甄选过程非常严苛。

The selection process for this position is very rigorous.

Formal vocabulary 甄选 (selection).

2

候选人的政治立场引起了广泛争议。

The candidate's political stance has sparked widespread controversy.

Verb 引起 (cause/spark).

3

我们必须确保对所有候选人一视同仁。

We must ensure that all candidates are treated equally.

Idiom 一视同仁 (treat equally).

4

这位候选人在辩论中表现得游刃有余。

The candidate performed with ease during the debate.

Idiom 游刃有余 (with ease).

5

候选人的资历虽然无可挑剔，但缺乏激情。

Although the candidate's qualifications are impeccable, they lack passion.

Conjunction 虽然...但...

6

公司决定从内部候选人中提拔一名经理。

The company decided to promote a manager from among the internal candidates.

Preposition 从...中.

7

候选人的演讲极具感染力，赢得了选民的支持。

The candidate's speech was highly infectious and won the support of voters.

Structure 极具 (possess to a high degree).

8

在评估候选人时，软技能同样重要。

Soft skills are equally important when evaluating candidates.

Time clause ...时.

1

候选人的背景调查揭示了一些不为人知的细节。

The candidate's background check revealed some little-known details.

Formal verb 揭示 (reveal).

2

针对该职位的候选人筛选标准，董事会内部存在显著分歧。

There are significant disagreements within the board regarding the screening criteria for the candidate for this position.

Complex prepositional phrase 针对...

3

这位候选人的外交手腕被认为是其最大的政治资产。

This candidate's diplomatic finesse is considered their greatest political asset.

Passive-like 被认为.

4

在激烈的角逐中，候选人必须保持冷静的头脑。

In the fierce competition, candidates must maintain a cool head.

Abstract noun 角逐 (competition/tussle).

5

该候选人的经济政策被批评为过于激进且缺乏可行性。

The candidate's economic policies were criticized as being too radical and lacking feasibility.

Compound adjectives 激进且缺乏...

6

候选人通过一系列缜密的公关活动重塑了公众形象。

The candidate reshaped their public image through a series of meticulous PR activities.

Formal adverb 缜密 (meticulous).

7

尽管该候选人呼声很高，但最终未能获得提名。

Despite the candidate's high popularity, they ultimately failed to secure the nomination.

Formal conjunction 尽管...但...

8

候选人的言论往往反映了其所属政党的核心价值观。

A candidate's remarks often reflect the core values of their political party.

Verb 反映 (reflect).

Synonyms

申请人 人选 竞争者

Common Collocations

理想的候选人
最终候选人
合格的候选人
潜在的候选人
外部候选人
内部候选人
总统候选人
热门候选人
有力候选人
唯一的候选人

Common Phrases

候选人名单
筛选候选人
面试候选人
提名候选人
确定候选人
候选人简介
候选人背景
候选人资格
候选人池
候选人评估

Often Confused With

候选人 vs 应聘者 (Applicant)

候选人 vs 竞选人 (Political campaigner)

候选人 vs 候选 (The state of being a candidate)

Idioms & Expressions

"脱颖而出"
"万里挑一"
"优胜劣汰"
"名列前茅"
"后起之秀"
"大浪淘沙"
"独占鳌头"
"名副其实"
"实至名归"
"宁缺毋滥"

Easily Confused

候选人 vs

候选人 vs

候选人 vs

候选人 vs

候选人 vs

Sentence Patterns

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How to Use It

Tone

Always professional and neutral.

Ambiguity

Rarely ambiguous, but ensure you specify the role (e.g., 经理候选人).

Common Mistakes
  • Writing '后选人' instead of '候选人'.
  • Using '应聘者' for political candidates.
  • Using '只' as a measure word.
  • Saying '做候选人' instead of '作为候选人'.
  • Confusing '候选人' with '选举人' (voter/elector).

Tips

Learn the Radicals

The 'person' radical in 候 and the 'walking' radical in 选 help you remember the meaning: a person moving through a process.

Measure Words Matter

Using '位' (wèi) immediately elevates your Chinese to a more professional level.

Sea-selection

Understand '海选' to appreciate how competitive the '候选人' stage can be in China.

Formal Reports

In reports, use '该候选人' (this candidate) instead of '这个候选人' for a more academic tone.

Interview Prep

If you are interviewing in Chinese, use this word to refer to yourself in the third person when discussing the process.

News Keywords

This is a high-frequency word in news; learning it will help you understand political broadcasts.

Component Breakdown

Wait + Choose + Person = Candidate. Simple and logical.

Synonym Choice

Use '入围者' specifically for awards to sound more like a native speaker.

Office Talk

Use '候选人池' (candidate pool) when discussing long-term hiring strategies.

Tone Accuracy

Make sure 'hòu' is a sharp falling tone to avoid confusion with 'hǒu' (roar).

Memorize It

Word Origin

Modern compound word using classical roots.

Cultural Context

Using '位' (wèi) for a candidate shows high respect for their professional standing.

The term '海选' originated from reality TV but is now used in business to describe high-volume recruitment.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"你觉得哪位候选人最合适？"

"我们一共面试了多少个候选人？"

"这位候选人的简历看起来不错。"

"候选人什么时候能入职？"

"你认识这位总统候选人吗？"

Journal Prompts

如果你是面试官，你会如何挑选候选人？

描述一次你作为候选人参加面试的经历。

你认为理想的候选人应该具备哪些素质？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

应聘者 is anyone who applies for a job. 候选人 is someone who has been shortlisted and is being seriously considered. 候选人 is also used in politics and awards, whereas 应聘者 is only for jobs.

Yes, in casual conversation it is fine. However, in formal writing or professional settings, '位' or '名' is much better.

Yes, people nominated for awards like the Oscars are called 候选人 or 入围者.

You say 总统候选人 (zǒngtǒng hòuxuǎnrén).

Common verbs include 提名 (nominate), 筛选 (screen), 面试 (interview), and 录用 (hire).

It is hòu (4th tone, falling).

Usually, it refers to an individual. For a group, you would say 候选团队 (candidate team).

A 黑马候选人 (hēimǎ hòuxuǎnrén).

Yes, it is a formal and standard term.

Yes, if you are one of the people being considered for a role.

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