B2 noun Neutral 2 min read

竞聘

jing pin tɕiŋ⁵¹pin⁵¹

Overview

The Chinese word '竞聘' (jìng pìn) is a verb that signifies 'to compete for a job or position.' It's a common term in professional and academic contexts, particularly when discussing career advancement, recruitment processes, or internal promotions. Understanding '竞聘' goes beyond a simple dictionary definition; it encapsulates a cultural and professional practice.

At its core, '竞聘' implies a formal process where individuals apply and are evaluated against others for a specific role. This process often involves submitting applications, undergoing interviews, assessments, and sometimes even presentations or practical demonstrations of skills. The '竞' part of the word means 'to compete' or 'to contend,' highlighting the competitive nature of securing the desired position. The '聘' part means 'to invite' or 'to hire,' indicating the ultimate goal of being selected for employment.

In practical terms, '竞聘' can be seen in various scenarios:

  1. 1Internal Promotions: Within an organization, when a higher-level position becomes vacant, employees might '竞聘' for it, meaning they apply and are assessed alongside their colleagues.
  1. 1External Recruitment: When a company is looking to fill a position, external candidates '竞聘' by submitting their resumes and going through the hiring process.
  1. 1Academic Appointments: In universities or research institutions, scholars often '竞聘' for professorships, research grants, or leadership roles.
  1. 1Government Positions: Individuals aspiring to work in public service often '竞聘' for various government roles through civil service examinations and interviews.

Successfully navigating a '竞聘' process often requires a combination of qualifications, experience, relevant skills, and effective self-presentation. It's a test of one's abilities, resilience, and strategic thinking in a competitive environment. The term itself underscores the meritocratic aspect of many professional systems, where individuals are chosen based on their demonstrated capability to perform the duties of the role.

Examples

1

他成功竞聘上了部门经理的职位。

工作场合

He successfully competed for the position of department manager.

2

公司内部正在进行一次竞聘,很多人都想尝试。

工作场合

The company is holding an internal competition for a position, and many people want to try.

3

这次竞聘的过程非常激烈。

工作场合

The competition process was very intense.

4

她为这次竞聘做了充分的准备。

工作场合

She made full preparations for this competition.

5

最终,他凭借出色的表现赢得了这次竞聘。

工作场合

Ultimately, he won this competition with his excellent performance.

Common Collocations

公开竞聘
参与竞聘
竞聘上岗
竞聘演讲

Often Confused With

竞聘 vs 招聘 (zhāopìn)
'竞聘' refers to competing for a job or position, often from within an organization or for a specific advertised role. '招聘' means to recruit or hire, which is the general process of seeking new employees.
竞聘 vs 竞争 (jìngzhēng)
'竞聘' specifically applies to competition for a position. '竞争' is a more general term meaning competition in any context, such as in business, sports, or academics.

Grammar Patterns

为…而竞聘 (wèi…ér jìngpìn): to compete for… 竞聘上岗 (jìngpìn shànggǎng): to compete for a post and get it 参加竞聘 (cānjiā jìngpìn): to participate in a job competition

How to Use It

Usage Notes

'竞聘' (jìng pìn) is a verb-object phrase that literally translates to 'compete for a position.' It is primarily used in formal contexts, especially within organizations, government bodies, and educational institutions, when an individual applies and competes for a specific job, promotion, or leadership role. It implies a structured and often publicly advertised process, rather than a casual application. For example, one might say '他正在竞聘部门经理的职位' (Tā zhèngzài jìngpìn bùmén jīnglǐ de zhíwèi) meaning 'He is competing for the position of department manager.' It's less commonly used for entry-level jobs unless there's an internal competitive selection. While similar to 'apply for a job,' '竞聘' carries a stronger connotation of active competition and the formal selection process involved. It can also be used as a noun, as in '这次竞聘很激烈' (Zhè cì jìngpìn hěn jīliè), meaning 'This competition for the position is fierce.'


Common Mistakes

A common mistake is confusing '竞聘' (jìngpìn) with '竞争' (jìngzhēng). While both involve competition, '竞聘' specifically refers to competing for a job or position, often within an organization (e.g., internal promotion competition), whereas '竞争' is a broader term for competition in general (e.g., market competition, sports competition). Another error could be mispronouncing the tones, especially the fourth tone of '竞' and the fourth tone of '聘', which can alter the meaning or make the word difficult to understand for native speakers. Ensure to differentiate it from '招聘' (zhāopìn), which means recruitment or to openly advertise for a job, as '竞聘' implies the act of competing for a role, not the act of recruiting for it.

Tips

💡

"竞聘" (jìng pìn) implies a formal and often competitive process.

This term is frequently used in professional settings, such as applying for a job, seeking a promotion, or competing for a specific role or project within an organization. It suggests that there are multiple candidates vying for the same position, and typically involves interviews, presentations, or other assessment methods to select the most qualified individual.
💡

Avoid using "竞聘" when the competition is not specifically for a job or position.

While "竞聘" broadly relates to competition, its core meaning is tied to vying for a role or post. For general competition, terms like "竞争" (jìng zhēng - general competition) or "比赛" (bǐ sài - sports/games competition) would be more appropriate. For example, you wouldn't use "竞聘" to describe a sports match or a game.
💡

When discussing career advancement or job applications, "竞聘" is the most precise term.

This word directly conveys the idea of actively seeking and competing for a specific position. For example, you could say "他正在竞聘一个高级经理的职位" (Tā zhèng zài jìng pìn yī gè gāo jí jīng lǐ de zhí wèi - He is currently competing for a senior manager position). It highlights the active and often challenging nature of securing a desired role.

Word Origin

The word '竞聘' (jìngpìn) in Chinese is a relatively modern term that has gained prominence with the development of modern employment practices and human resources. It is a compound word formed from two characters: 1. 竞 (jìng): This character means 'to compete,' 'to contend,' or 'to vie.' Its ancient form depicted two people standing side-by-side, suggesting rivalry or competition. Over time, its meaning has consistently revolved around the idea of striving against others for something. 2. 聘 (pìn): This character means 'to invite,' 'to engage,' or 'to employ.' In ancient times, '聘' was often associated with formal invitations, particularly in the context of marriage proposals where a '聘礼' (pìnlǐ) or betrothal gift was offered, signifying a formal engagement or invitation into a family. In a broader sense, it came to mean inviting someone to take a position or role. When combined, '竞聘' literally translates to 'compete for an invitation/employment.' This aptly describes the process where individuals actively compete or contend with others to be invited or employed for a specific job or position. The term emerged as a concise way to describe the formal, often structured, process of competitive selection for roles within organizations, contrasting with simpler forms of hiring or appointment. It implies a degree of formality, transparency, and often multiple candidates vying for a single role, which became more common as organizations grew larger and more structured in the 20th century.

Cultural Context

In Chinese culture, '竞聘' (jìng pìn) reflects a competitive yet merit-based approach to career advancement, deeply rooted in the historical emphasis on scholarly examinations and civil service. The concept often involves a formal process, where individuals present their qualifications, experience, and vision for a particular role. While competition is inherent, there's also an underlying cultural expectation of fair play and respecting the outcome. For the individual, '竞聘' can be a significant opportunity for professional growth and recognition, often leading to increased social standing and responsibilities. The process can be intense, with candidates often preparing extensively, sometimes even engaging in 'guanxi' (relationships) building, though official '竞聘' processes aim for impartiality. Success in '竞聘' is seen as a testament to one's capabilities and dedication.

Memory Tip

The character '竞' (jìng) depicts two people competing. The character '聘' (pìn) means to employ or invite. So, '竞聘' (jìngpìn) literally means to compete for employment, which perfectly describes 'competition for a job or position.'

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions
'竞聘' (jìngpìn) is a Chinese term that literally translates to 'compete for employment' or 'compete for a position'. It generally refers to the process where individuals actively compete for a job, role, or promotion within an organization. This can involve internal competitions for higher positions or external applications where candidates vie for a limited number of openings. It emphasizes the competitive nature of securing a desired role.
'竞聘' is often used as a verb or noun phrase. For example, you might hear: '他成功竞聘到了经理职位' (Tā chénggōng jìngpìn dào le jīnglǐ zhíwèi), meaning 'He successfully competed for the manager position.' Another example could be: '这次竞聘很激烈' (Zhè cì jìngpìn hěn jīliè), meaning 'This competition for the position was very fierce.' It highlights the act of contending for a job or role.
In Chinese workplaces, '竞聘' often implies a structured and merit-based selection process. It reflects an emphasis on fairness and transparency in career advancement, where individuals are encouraged to demonstrate their qualifications and capabilities to earn promotions or new roles. While it signifies competition, it also suggests opportunities for growth and recognition based on performance and potential, rather than solely on seniority or connections.
While '竞聘' specifically refers to competing for a job or position, related terms include '招聘' (zhāopìn), which means 'to recruit' or 'recruitment' in a general sense, and '求职' (qiúzhí), meaning 'to seek employment' or 'job hunting'. '竞争上岗' (jìngzhēng shànggǎng) is another very close term, often used to describe competition for an existing post or position within an organization, similar to internal bidding for roles.

Test Yourself

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他正在为那个经理的职位进行激烈的____。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
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这次公司内部的____非常激烈,有很多优秀的候选人。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
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为了准备这次____,他做了很多功课。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

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