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B2 adjective 10 min read

胜任的

shengren de

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 胜任的 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 胜任的 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '胜任的' (shèng rèn de) is quite advanced, but you can understand it as a very strong way to say 'can do.' Imagine you are learning basic jobs like 'teacher' (老师) or 'doctor' (医生). If someone is a 'good' teacher, they are '好的老师.' If they are 'very good' and 'can do the job well,' a professional might call them '胜任的.' For now, just remember that '胜' means win or can handle, and '任' means task. If you see this word on a job application, it means the boss is looking for someone who knows how to do the work. You won't need to say this word often at A1, but recognizing it in a professional context will help you understand that the conversation is about someone's skills. Think of it as 'Super-Can-Do.'

At the A2 level, you are starting to talk about work and skills. '胜任的' is a formal adjective for 'competent.' You might use it when talking about your hobbies or simple jobs. For example, if you are good at speaking Chinese, you might not yet be '胜任的' as a translator, but you are '胜任的' as a tourist guide. The word is made of '胜' (to be able to bear) and '任' (duty). At this level, focus on the pattern: [Person] + 是 + [Job] + 胜任的. This helps you describe people's roles more professionally than just saying 'he is good.' It is a step up from '好' (good) or '行' (okay).

At the B1 level, you should begin to use '胜任的' in your writing and speaking, especially when discussing careers or education. This word is essential for describing qualifications. Instead of saying '我有能力做这个' (I have the ability to do this), you can say '我是胜任的' (I am competent/qualified). This sounds much more professional. You will also see the verb form '胜任' more often. For example, '胜任工作' (to be competent for the work). At B1, you should be able to distinguish between being 'qualified' (having the papers) and being 'competent' (having the actual skill). '胜任的' focuses more on the actual skill and the ability to handle the pressure of the task.

At the B2 level, '胜任的' is a core vocabulary word for professional fluency. You are expected to use it in complex sentences and understand its nuances. You should know that '胜任的' often implies a perfect match between a person's abilities and the requirements of a high-level position. You will use it in debates about leadership, job interviews, and formal reports. You should also be comfortable using adverbs of degree with it, such as '完全胜任' (completely competent) or '难以胜任' (hard to be competent for). At this level, you should also understand the difference between '胜任的' and synonyms like '称职' (dutiful/fitting the role) or '合格' (qualified/meeting minimum standards).

At the C1 level, you use '胜任的' with precision and stylistic flair. You understand that the word carries a connotation of 'mastery' and 'reliability.' You might use it in legal or academic contexts where 'competence' has specific definitions (e.g., '胜任的证人' for a competent witness). You can also use it metaphorically to describe institutions or systems that are 'competent' at handling social issues. Your understanding of the word includes its historical roots and its place in the hierarchy of professional praise. You can use it to provide nuanced feedback, such as '虽然他在技术上是胜任的，但在人际交往上仍需提高' (Although he is technically competent, he still needs to improve in interpersonal communication).

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '胜任的.' You recognize the word's weight in various registers, from high-level political discourse to specialized professional fields. You can discern the subtle shift in meaning when '胜任' is used as a verb versus an adjective. You are familiar with idiomatic expressions that surround the concept of competence and can use '胜任的' to construct sophisticated arguments about organizational efficiency or human capital. You might even use it in literary analysis to describe a character's fitness for their fate or role in a narrative. To you, '胜任的' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a precise tool for evaluating the alignment of ability, duty, and outcome in any given scenario.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

胜任的 in 30 Seconds

胜任的 describes professional competence and the ability to fulfill specific duties effectively in a formal or workplace context.
It is composed of '胜' (to bear) and '任' (duty), literally meaning 'able to bear the responsibilities' of a role.
Commonly used in job interviews, resumes, and performance reviews to validate a person's skills relative to a task's requirements.
It differs from 'qualified' (合格) by emphasizing active capability and efficiency rather than just meeting minimum technical standards.

The Chinese adjective 胜任的 (shèng rèn de) is a sophisticated term primarily used to describe someone's professional capability or their suitability for a specific role or task. At its core, it translates to 'competent,' 'qualified,' or 'capable.' However, in the nuances of Mandarin, it carries a sense of being 'equal to the task'—suggesting that the person’s skills perfectly align with or even exceed the requirements of the job. You will most frequently encounter this word in formal environments, such as during hiring processes, performance evaluations, or when discussing the qualifications of a leader or specialist. It is not a word used lightly for simple daily chores; rather, it implies a level of professional standard and reliability.

Professional Suitability: This is the most common application. When an employer says a candidate is 胜任的, they are confirming that the individual possesses the necessary technical skills, experience, and temperament to handle the responsibilities of the position without constant supervision.
Task-Specific Capability: Beyond just job titles, it can refer to specific, challenging projects. If a task is particularly difficult, being 胜任的 implies a high level of proficiency that ensures the project's success.

他是一个非常胜任的经理，总能妥善处理各种突发情况。(He is a very competent manager who can always handle various emergencies properly.)

Understanding the etymology helps clarify its weight. '胜' (shèng) means to win, to surpass, or to be able to bear. '任' (rèn) refers to a duty, a mission, or a position. Together, they form the idea of being 'able to bear the duty.' In a cultural context, Chinese society places a high value on 'shèng rèn' (胜任) because it reflects a person's utility and reliability within a collective or organization. Unlike '聪明' (cōngmíng - clever) which describes innate intelligence, 胜任的 focuses on the practical application of skill to achieve a result.

When using this word, consider the level of formality. It is perfectly appropriate for a resume (简历), a recommendation letter (推荐信), or a formal interview (面试). In casual conversation, people might use simpler terms like '厉害' (lìhai - awesome/capable) or '行' (xíng - okay/capable), but 胜任的 adds a layer of professional validation that these colloquialisms lack. It asserts a match between the person's '力' (lì - power/ability) and the '任' (rèn - task).

Using 胜任的 (shèng rèn de) effectively requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as both an attributive adjective and a predicative adjective. Most commonly, it appears in patterns that link a person's ability to a specific role. Because the '的' (de) is an adjective marker, the word can directly modify a noun or follow a linking verb like '是' (shì - to be).

The Attributive Pattern: Structure: [Adjective] + 的 + [Noun]. Example: '一位胜任的老师' (A competent teacher). Here, the focus is on the inherent quality of the person within that role.
The Predicative Pattern: Structure: [Subject] + 是 + [Adjective] + 的. Example: '他在这项工作中是胜任的' (He is competent in this work). This emphasizes the state of the subject in relation to the work.

我们正在寻找一位能够胜任的翻译，负责国际会议。(We are looking for a competent translator to be responsible for international conferences.)

A crucial grammatical variation is the verbal form '胜任' (shèng rèn), which means 'to be competent for' or 'to be qualified for.' In this case, it functions as a transitive verb. For example, '他能胜任这份工作' (He can handle this job). When you add '的', you turn it into a descriptive adjective. Learners often confuse when to use the '的'. Use the adjective form 胜任的 when you want to describe a person's general characteristic or when modifying a noun. Use the verb form 胜任 when you are describing the action of being capable of a specific object/task.

In more complex sentence structures, you might see it used in comparative sentences. '虽然他年轻，但他比其他人更胜任这个职位' (Although he is young, he is more qualified/competent for this position than others). This highlights that competence is often a relative measure in professional settings. Additionally, it is frequently used in negative constructions to express lack of qualification: '他不胜任这项任务' (He is not up to this task). Note that in the negative, the '的' is often dropped as it functions more as a verb phrase '不胜任'.

You will encounter 胜任的 (shèng rèn de) in several high-stakes social and professional contexts. Because it is a B2-level word, it marks a transition from basic survival Chinese to professional-grade communication. Here are the primary domains where this word is most prevalent.

Human Resources and Recruitment: In job descriptions (职位描述), you will see requirements like '应聘者必须是胜任的' (Candidates must be competent). During interviews, recruiters might ask: '你认为自己为什么是胜任的？' (Why do you think you are competent/qualified?).
Corporate Performance Reviews: During annual reviews (年度考核), managers use this term to justify promotions or salary increases. A report might state: '该员工在当前岗位上表现出高度的胜任感' (The employee shows a high sense of competence in their current position).
Academic and Formal Recommendations: When a professor writes a recommendation for a student applying for a PhD or a scholarship, they will describe the student as '胜任的' to indicate they have the intellectual and research capacity for advanced study.

我们需要一位在技术和管理方面都胜任的领导者。(We need a leader who is competent in both technology and management.)

In Chinese news and media, particularly in political or economic reporting, the word is used to discuss the capability of officials or the suitability of organizations to handle large-scale crises. For instance, during a public health crisis, the media might evaluate if a local government is '胜任的' in its response. This usage elevates the word from a personal attribute to a measure of institutional integrity.

Finally, you might hear this in legal contexts. A '胜任的证人' (competent witness) or a '胜任的法定代理人' (competent legal representative) refers to someone who meets the legal criteria to perform a specific function. In these cases, it moves away from 'skill' and more toward 'legal qualification.' Understanding these varied contexts allows you to use the word with the precision of a native speaker.

While 胜任的 (shèng rèn de) is a powerful word, learners often misuse it by confusing it with similar terms or applying it in the wrong register. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Chinese sound more natural and professional.

Confusing with '合格' (hégé): '合格' (hégé) means 'qualified' or 'meeting the standard.' It is a binary pass/fail term. '胜任的' implies a higher level of active capability. You can be '合格' (you have the certificate) but not necessarily '胜任的' (you can't actually handle the pressure of the job).
Confusing with '有能力的' (yǒu nénglì de): '有能力' is a general term for 'talented' or 'capable.' It describes a person's potential. '胜任的' is always tied to a specific role or task. You are talented (有能力) in general, but you are competent (胜任的) for a specific job.

错误：他是一个很胜任的人。(Incorrect: He is a very competent person - sounds incomplete).
正确：他在工作中是一个很胜任的员工。(Correct: He is a very competent employee in his work.)

Another mistake is using it for simple, everyday tasks. For example, saying someone is '胜任的' at washing dishes sounds overly formal and almost sarcastic in Chinese. Reserve this word for professional roles, complex skills, or significant responsibilities. If you want to say someone is good at a simple task, use '擅长' (shàncháng - to be good at) or '会' (huì - to know how to).

Lastly, be careful with the word order when using adverbs. In English, we might say 'He is competent enough.' In Chinese, you should say '他足够胜任' (He is sufficiently competent). Placing the adverb '足够' (zúgòu) after the adjective is a common mistake influenced by English syntax. Always place the degree adverb before the adjective in Chinese.

Mandarin has a rich vocabulary for expressing capability. Depending on the context—whether it's an informal chat or a formal government report—you might want to choose a different word than 胜任的 (shèng rèn de). Here is a comparison of the most common alternatives.

称职 (chènzhí): This is perhaps the closest synonym. It literally means 'to fit the position.' While '胜任的' emphasizes the ability to do the work, '称职' emphasizes fulfilling the duties of the office well. A '称职的老师' is one who fulfills their role as a teacher perfectly.
干练 (gànliàn): This describes someone who is capable, experienced, and decisive. It has a more energetic connotation than '胜任的.' If someone is '干练,' they get things done quickly and efficiently.
足以 (zúyǐ): This means 'sufficient to.' It is often used in formal writing to say someone's skills are 'sufficient to handle' a situation. Example: '他的经验足以应付目前的危机' (His experience is sufficient to handle the current crisis).

比较：
1. 他是胜任的。(He is competent/qualified.)
2. 他是称职的。(He is dutiful and fits the role well.)
3. 他很干练。(He is sharp and capable.)

If you are looking for more colloquial ways to express competence, you might use '靠谱' (kàopǔ), which means 'reliable' or 'dependable.' While not a direct synonym for 'competent,' in a work context, a '靠谱' person is often '胜任的' because they can be trusted to finish what they start. On the very formal end, '克尽职守' (kè jìn zhí shǒu) is an idiom meaning to fulfill one's duties to the utmost, which is the ultimate expression of being '胜任的' and '称职的'.

In summary, choosing the right word depends on whether you want to emphasize technical skill (胜任), role-fulfillment (称职), efficiency (干练), or reliability (靠谱). For most B2-level professional interactions, 胜任的 remains the safest and most accurate choice for describing a qualified professional.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '胜' (shèng) contains the '力' (lì) radical, which means 'strength' or 'power.' This visually reinforces the idea that competence requires power.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃəŋ⁴ rən⁴ də/

US /ʃəŋ⁴ rən⁴ də/

Equal stress on the first two syllables, with a light neutral tone on 'de'.

Rhymes With

正 (zhèng) 盛 (shèng) 认 (rèn) 嫩 (nèn) 等 (děng) 梦 (mèng) 用 (yòng) 分 (fēn)

Common Errors

Using the 2nd tone for 'shèng' (shéng), which makes it sound like 'rope' (绳).
Pronouncing 'rèn' with a flat English 'r' instead of the Chinese retroflex 'r'.
Failing to make the tones sharp and falling, which reduces the word's formal impact.
Mixing up the 'e' sound in 'shèng' with 'a' (shàng).
Stress on 'de' instead of keeping it neutral and light.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Requires knowledge of formal characters '胜' and '任'.

Writing 5/5

The character '胜' has many strokes and needs careful practice.

Speaking 3/5

Tones are straightforward but require clarity for formal impact.

Listening 3/5

Easy to hear in professional contexts but sounds similar to other words.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

能力 (Ability) 工作 (Work) 可以 (Can) 好 (Good) 合适 (Suitable)

Learn Next

称职 (Dutiful) 资历 (Qualifications) 招聘 (Recruitment) 评估 (Evaluation) 履行 (To fulfill)

Advanced

德才兼备 (Virtue and talent) 游刃有余 (Ease of handling) 胜任力模型 (Competency model) 职能 (Function) 绩效 (Performance)

Grammar to Know

The use of '的' as an attributive marker.

胜任的员工 (Competent employee).

Degree adverbs modifying adjectives.

非常胜任 (Very competent).

Double negation for emphasis.

没有他不胜任的工作 (There is no job he isn't competent for).

Resultative complements (implicit).

他胜任得了 (He is able to handle it - using the '得了' potential complement).

Noun phrases with '方面'.

在管理方面是胜任的 (Competent in management).

Examples by Level

他是一个胜任的老师。

He is a competent teacher.

Simple Subject + 是 + Adjective + Noun structure.

你胜任这个工作吗？

Are you competent for this job?

Using '胜任' as a verb in a question.

她是胜任的。

She is competent.

Subject + 是 + Adjective + 的.

我不胜任。

I am not competent (for this).

Negative form '不胜任'.

谁是胜任的？

Who is competent?

Interrogative pronoun '谁'.

这个医生很胜任。

This doctor is very competent.

Adverb '很' modifying the adjective.

这是一位胜任的司机。

This is a competent driver.

Measure word '一位' for people.

他们是胜任的团队。

They are a competent team.

Plural subject '他们'.

他能胜任这项简单的任务。

He can handle this simple task.

Modal verb '能' + verb '胜任'.

我认为他是胜任的经理。

I think he is a competent manager.

Verb '认为' (to think) introducing a clause.

我们需要一个胜任的厨师。

We need a competent cook.

Verb '需要' (to need).

你觉得她胜任吗？

Do you feel she is competent?

Question with '觉得' (to feel/think).

这个工作需要胜任的人。

This job needs a competent person.

Adjective modifying '人'.

他不胜任这份工作。

He is not qualified for this job.

Negative verb phrase '不胜任'.

她是非常胜任的秘书。

She is a very competent secretary.

Adverb '非常' + Adjective.

我们找胜任的导游。

We are looking for competent tour guides.

Verb '找' (to look for).

经过培训，他现在是胜任的了。

After training, he is competent now.

Prepositional phrase '经过...' (after/through).

虽然他经验不足，但他表现得非常胜任。

Although he lacks experience, he performs very competently.

Conjunction '虽然...但是...' (although...but...).

只有胜任的人才能得到加薪。

Only competent people can get a raise.

Structure '只有...才...' (only if...then...).

她被认为是最胜任的候选人。

She is considered the most competent candidate.

Passive-like structure '被认为' (be considered).

这项任务对他来说是完全胜任的。

This task is completely manageable for him.

Phrase '对...来说' (for someone).

我们需要证明你是胜任的。

We need to prove that you are competent.

Verb '证明' (to prove).

他努力学习以变得更加胜任。

He studies hard to become more competent.

Purpose clause with '以' (in order to).

胜任的员工是公司的财富。

Competent employees are the company's wealth.

Abstract noun '财富' (wealth/asset).

由于他表现出色，大家都公认他是胜任的。

Because of his outstanding performance, everyone recognizes him as competent.

Cause and effect with '由于' (due to).

公司需要一位在财务方面完全胜任的专家。

The company needs an expert who is fully competent in finance.

Specific domain '在...方面' (in the aspect of).

他是否胜任这个职位还有待观察。

Whether he is competent for this position remains to be seen.

Subject clause '是否...' (whether or not).

为了确保项目的成功，我们必须聘请胜任的人才。

In order to ensure the project's success, we must hire competent talent.

Purpose clause '为了确保...' (to ensure).

一个胜任的领导应该具备良好的沟通技巧。

A competent leader should possess good communication skills.

Modal '应该' (should) + '具备' (possess).

他不仅仅是合格，更是非常胜任的。

He is not just qualified, but highly competent.

Contrastive structure '不仅仅...更是...' (not only... but also...).

他在处理危机时表现出了胜任的一面。

He showed a competent side when dealing with the crisis.

Structure '表现出...的一面' (show a side of...).

没有任何证据表明他不胜任。

There is no evidence to suggest he is incompetent.

Double negative sense: '没有任何...不...'.

在法律意义上，他被认定为是胜任的遗嘱执行人。

In a legal sense, he was identified as a competent executor of the will.

Formal passive '被认定为' (be identified as).

这种复杂的科研工作，只有极少数胜任的学者才能完成。

This kind of complex scientific research can only be completed by a very few competent scholars.

Quantifier '极少数' (a very small minority).

他在学术界被公认为是一位极其胜任的评论家。

He is widely recognized in academia as an extremely competent critic.

Adverb '极其' (extremely) + Adjective.

该机构是否胜任监管职责引发了广泛的社会讨论。

Whether the agency is competent in its regulatory duties has sparked widespread social discussion.

Complex subject clause with '是否'.

一位胜任的翻译不仅要精通语言，还要了解文化底蕴。

A competent translator must not only be proficient in the language but also understand the cultural heritage.

Parallel structure '不仅...还要...'.

他这种胜任感源于他深厚的专业知识和多年的实践。

His sense of competence stems from his profound professional knowledge and years of practice.

Noun '胜任感' (sense of competence).

面对如此艰巨的任务，他依然表现得游刃有余，确实非常胜任。

In the face of such an arduous task, he still performed with ease, proving to be very competent.

Idiom '游刃有余' (handling with ease).

我们需要对所有候选人的胜任程度进行严格的评估。

We need to conduct a rigorous assessment of the competence levels of all candidates.

Compound noun '胜任程度' (degree of competence).

在当今瞬息万变的市场中，唯有胜任且灵活的领导者方能立于不败之地。

In today's fast-changing market, only competent and flexible leaders can remain invincible.

Formal particle '唯有...方能...' (only... can...).

他那胜任的姿态并非出于傲慢，而是源自对业务的极度熟稔。

His competent demeanor is not born of arrogance, but of extreme familiarity with the business.

Contrast '并非...而是...' (not... but...).

评估一个政府是否胜任，不能仅看其经济指标，更要看其社会治理能力。

Evaluating whether a government is competent should not only look at its economic indicators but also its social governance capabilities.

Complex analytical sentence structure.

这种深层的胜任力是任何短期培训都无法赋予的。

This deep-seated competence is something that no short-term training can bestow.

Relative clause with '无法赋予' (cannot bestow).

他是否能胜任这一具有里程碑意义的职位，关系到整个行业的未来。

Whether he can handle this landmark position concerns the future of the entire industry.

Idiomatic phrase '具有里程碑意义' (landmark/milestone).

一个胜任的法官必须在法律条文与社会正义之间寻求微妙的平衡。

A competent judge must seek a delicate balance between legal provisions and social justice.

Formal philosophical statement.

她的胜任不仅体现在结果上，更体现在她处理复杂人际关系的艺术中。

Her competence is reflected not only in the results but also in the art with which she handles complex interpersonal relationships.

Abstract usage of '胜任'.

在危机四伏的年代，社会对胜任的危机管理者的需求达到了巅峰。

In an era full of crises, the demand for competent crisis managers has reached its peak.

Literary phrase '危机四伏' (surrounded by dangers).

Common Collocations

完全胜任

难以胜任

胜任职位

表现胜任

胜任能力

足以胜任

是否胜任

非常胜任

基本胜任

胜任感

Common Phrases

胜任愉快

— To handle a task with ease and joy. Often used to describe someone who is overqualified or very comfortable in their role.

他做这份工作真是胜任愉快。

足以胜任

— Sufficiently competent. Used to indicate that someone's skills meet the requirements perfectly.

他的英语水平足以胜任翻译工作。

难以胜任

— Difficult to handle. Used when a task is beyond someone's current ability.

由于缺乏经验，他感到难以胜任。

能够胜任

— Be able to handle. A very standard way to express capability in a professional context.

我相信我能够胜任这个项目。

完全胜任

— Fully competent. Used to give a high recommendation.

她完全胜任经理的职位。

胜任力模型

— Competency model. A technical HR term used in corporate management.

公司正在建立新的胜任力模型。

岗位胜任

— Job competence. Refers to fitting the requirements of a specific post.

岗位胜任是考核的核心。

不胜任工作

— Incompetent for the work. Often used in legal or HR contexts for dismissal.

他因不胜任工作被解雇了。

极度胜任

— Extremely competent. Used for high-level praise.

他在这个领域是极度胜任的。

表现出胜任

— To demonstrate competence. Used when describing someone's actions.

他在危机中表现出极强的胜任能力。

Often Confused With

胜任的 vs 合格 (hégé)

Hégé means meeting a standard (pass/fail), while Shèng rèn de implies high-level capability.

胜任的 vs 称职 (chènzhí)

Chènzhí emphasizes fitting a post and doing one's duty, while Shèng rèn de focuses on the ability to handle the work.

胜任的 vs 合适 (héshì)

Héshì means 'suitable' or 'fitting' in a general sense, not necessarily implying professional competence.

Idioms & Expressions

"游刃有余"

— Handling a task with great ease. Literally: a knife moving through the spaces of a joint.

他在这个职位上游刃有余，非常胜任。

Literary/Idiomatic

"绰绰有余"

— More than enough. Used to say someone's skills exceed the requirements.

他的能力胜任这份工作绰绰有余。

Neutral/Idiomatic

"德才兼备"

— Possessing both political integrity and professional competence.

我们需要德才兼备、能够胜任的领导者。

Formal/Political

"力不从心"

— The spirit is willing but the strength is lacking. Opposite of being '胜任的'.

面对这项大工程，他感到力不从心，无法胜任。

Literary/Idiomatic

"大材小用"

— A big talent in a small role. Used when someone is 'too' competent.

让他当助理真是大材小用，他完全胜任经理。

Neutral/Idiomatic

"才华横溢"

— Brimming with talent. Often a precursor to being '胜任的'.

这位才华横溢的年轻人非常胜任设计工作。

Literary/Idiomatic

"尽职尽责"

— To be responsible and diligent. Closely related to being '胜任的'.

他是一个尽职尽责、完全胜任的员工。

Formal/Positive

"精明强干"

— Astute and highly capable. Focuses on sharp intelligence and competence.

她是一个精明强干且胜任的管理者。

Formal/Positive

"独当一面"

— To be able to take charge of a department or project alone.

他已经成长为一个能够独当一面、完全胜任的骨干。

Formal/Idiomatic

"任重道远"

— The burden is heavy and the road is long. Usually said to a '胜任的' person.

作为胜任的领导，你任重道远。

Formal/Literary

Easily Confused

胜任的 vs 能干 (nénggàn)

Both mean capable.

Nénggàn is more informal and often used for general handiness or productivity. Shèng rèn de is formal and specific to a role.

这个小伙子真能干！ vs. 他是一位胜任的工程师。

胜任的 vs 有力 (yǒulì)

Sounds like 'ability' (能力).

Yǒulì means powerful or strong (physically or influential). Shèng rèn de is specifically about professional competence.

有力的反击 vs. 胜任的领导。

胜任的 vs 信任 (xìnrèn)

Contains the character '任'.

Xìnrèn means 'to trust.' Shèng rèn de means 'competent.' You trust (信任) someone because they are competent (胜任).

我非常信任他。 vs. 他非常胜任。

胜任的 vs 任命 (rènmìng)

Contains '任'.

Rènmìng is a verb meaning 'to appoint.' Shèng rèn de is an adjective describing the person who might be appointed.

公司任命他为经理。 vs. 他胜任经理的职位。

胜任的 vs 成功 (chénggōng)

Success is related to competence.

Chénggōng is the result (success). Shèng rèn de is the attribute that leads to success.

他成功了。 vs. 他是胜任的。

Sentence Patterns

他是胜任的 [Job].

他是胜任的老师。

他能胜任 [Task].

他能胜任这个工作。

虽然..., 但他是胜任的。

虽然他很忙，但他是胜任的。

他被公认为胜任的 [Role]。

他被公认为胜任的经理。

在...方面，他是极其胜任的。

在技术方面，他是极其胜任的。

唯有胜任者，方能...。

唯有胜任者，方能担此重任。

他表现得非常胜任。

他在新岗位上表现得非常胜任。

这足以证明他是胜任的。

他的成功足以证明他是胜任的。

Word Family

Nouns

胜任力 (shèng rèn lì) - Competency/Capability

胜任感 (shèng rèn gǎn) - Sense of competence

Verbs

胜任 (shèng rèn) - To be competent for; to be qualified for

Adjectives

胜任的 (shèng rèn de) - Competent; qualified

任职 (rèn zhí) - To hold a post

委任 (wěi rèn) - To appoint

战胜 (zhàn shèng) - To defeat/overcome

责任 (zé rèn) - Responsibility

任务 (rèn wu) - Task

How to Use It

frequency

Common in professional and academic writing; moderate in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

Using '胜任的' for a computer or machine. → 使用 '高效的' (efficient) 或 '功能强大的' (powerful).
胜任的 is only for human agents or human organizations.
Saying '他胜任得很' (He is very competent). → 他非常胜任。
While '得很' is a common degree complement, it isn't used with '胜任'. Use '非常' before it.
Confusing '胜任' with '信任' (Trust). → 我胜任这个工作 (I am competent for this job).
Learners often mix these up because they both have '任'. Remember '胜' is 'win/can'.
Omitting '的' when used as an adjective. → 他是一个胜任的经理。
When modifying '经理', the '的' is required.
Using '胜任的' for simple chores. → 他很会做饭 (He is good at cooking).
Using '胜任的' for cooking at home sounds weirdly formal.

Tips

Adverb Placement

Always place adverbs like '非常' or '完全' before '胜任的'. Never say '胜任的非常'.

Verb vs Adjective

Remember that '胜任' can take an object directly (胜任工作), while '胜任的' needs a noun or a linking verb.

Modesty

Even if you are '胜任的', in a Chinese interview, you might say '我会努力胜任' (I will work hard to be competent) to show humility.

Use '称职' for Teachers

When praising a teacher, '称职的老师' is often more common and warmer than '胜任的老师'.

Resume Tip

Use the phrase '完全胜任' to describe your match for the job requirements in your cover letter.

Listen for '不'

'不胜任' is a common way to hear criticism in a formal setting. The 'bù' is very important!

Confidence

Saying '我是胜任的' with firm tones shows you believe in your professional skills.

The Power Radical

Remember the character '胜' has the '力' (power) radical. Competence requires power!

Keep it Professional

Reserve this word for work, school, and serious duties. Don't use it for games or small favors.

Pair with Idioms

Combine it with '德才兼备' to describe a truly perfect candidate.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'SHENG' as 'surpassing' and 'REN' as 'responsibility.' If you SHENG-REN, you are 'surpassing the responsibility' or handling it with power.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing on top of a mountain (victory/胜) while holding a heavy scroll of duties (responsibility/任). They are not struggling; they are standing tall.

Word Web

Job Skill Interview Manager Capability Responsibility Success Trust

Challenge

Try to use '胜任的' in a sentence describing your best skill today. For example: '我在编程方面是胜任的' (I am competent in programming).

Word Origin

The word is a compound of two characters: '胜' (shèng) and '任' (rèn). In Classical Chinese, '胜' meant to be able to bear or endure weight, while '任' referred to a burden or a duty.

Original meaning: To be strong enough to carry a heavy burden or fulfill a difficult mission.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese)

Cultural Context

Avoid using '不胜任' (incompetent) directly to someone's face unless in a formal review, as it is very blunt and can cause significant loss of 'face' (面子).

English speakers might use 'competent' as a 'just okay' term (e.g., 'He's competent but not great'). In Chinese, '胜任的' is more positive and implies high reliability.

The Analects of Confucius (discussing the fitness of rulers). Modern Chinese Business Law (defining 'competent authorities'). Modern CCTV news reports on poverty alleviation officials.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Job Interview

我完全胜任此职。
我的经验使我非常胜任。
你如何证明自己是胜任的？
寻找胜任的候选人。

Performance Review

他在岗位上表现胜任。
提高胜任能力。
对当前职责非常胜任。
不胜任者的调岗。

Legal Documents

胜任的法院。
胜任的签署人。
具备胜任资格。
被视为胜任。

Academic Recommendation

该生胜任高强度研究。
极其胜任的研究助理。
胜任学术挑战。
表现出卓越的胜任力。

Daily Life (Tasks)

他能胜任这个家务。
你觉得他胜任吗？
找个胜任的人修电脑。
胜任这项艰巨的任务。

Conversation Starters

"你觉得目前的工作你胜任吗？ (Do you feel you are competent in your current job?)"

"在面试中，你通常怎么表现出你是胜任的？ (In an interview, how do you usually show that you are competent?)"

"你认为一个胜任的领导需要具备哪些素质？ (What qualities do you think a competent leader needs to possess?)"

"如果一个员工不胜任，公司应该怎么办？ (If an employee is incompetent, what should the company do?)"

"你曾经接过你觉得难以胜任的任务吗？ (Have you ever taken on a task you felt you were incompetent for?)"

Journal Prompts

写一写你第一次感到自己完全胜任某项工作的时刻。 (Write about the first time you felt completely competent at a certain job.)

描述一位你认为非常胜任的同事，并说明原因。 (Describe a colleague you think is very competent and explain why.)

你计划如何提高自己的胜任力，以应对未来的挑战？ (How do you plan to improve your competence to meet future challenges?)

讨论“合格”与“胜任”之间的区别。 (Discuss the difference between being 'qualified' and 'competent.')

如果你被分配了一项难以胜任的任务，你会如何处理？ (If you were assigned a task you were incompetent for, how would you handle it?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, no. '胜任的' is reserved for professional or significant responsibilities. For hobbies, use '擅长' (shàncháng - to be good at) or '厉害' (lìhai - awesome). Saying you are '胜任的' at playing video games sounds like it's your high-stakes job.

It can be both. '胜任' is a verb (to be competent for). '胜任的' is an adjective (competent). Example: '他胜任工作' (Verb) vs. '他是胜任的员工' (Adjective).

'胜任' focuses on having the skills to do the job. '称职' focuses on being a good fit for the title and performing duties responsibly. They are often used together.

Instead of '不胜任', which is blunt, you might say '还需要进一步提高' (still needs further improvement) or '目前可能不太合适这个岗位' (currently might not be quite suitable for this position).

No, it is exclusively used for people or organizations/teams. You wouldn't call a tool '胜任的'; you would call it '好用的' (useful) or '高效的' (efficient).

Yes, but mostly in professional settings like office meetings, interviews, or formal discussions. In casual talk, people use simpler words.

It is considered B2 (Upper Intermediate). It represents a shift from basic descriptions of ability to professional assessment.

Not necessarily. It implies being 'fully capable' and 'qualified.' You can have multiple '胜任' candidates, but only one might be the 'best' (最好的).

Yes, it translates to 'sense of competence' or 'self-efficacy' in a work context. It is often used in psychology and HR.

Yes, you can say '胜任这项挑战' (to be up to this challenge), though '应付' or '应对' are also common for challenges.