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B2 verb #4,000 most common 10 min read

雇用

guyong Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 雇用 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 雇用 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '雇用' (gùyòng) often, as it is a bit formal. Instead, you usually use simple words like '找' (zhǎo - to look for/find) or '请' (qǐng - to invite/ask). For example, instead of saying 'I hire a teacher,' you would say 'I find a teacher' (我找老师). However, it's good to recognize '雇用' as the formal word for 'hire.' Think of it as 'hiring' in a business way. You might see it on a sign or in a very basic reading about a company. Just remember: it's a verb, and it means someone pays money to have someone else work for them. It's like 'buy' (买) but for people's time and help. At this level, just knowing that it means 'to hire' is enough. You won't be expected to use it in your own speaking yet, but recognizing it helps you understand that Chinese has different words for 'hiring' depending on how formal the situation is.

At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more about jobs and daily life. You might see '雇用' (gùyòng) in simple stories or news about people getting jobs. You should understand that '雇用' is more formal than '找' (zhǎo). If a big company like a supermarket or a factory hires workers, the newspaper will use '雇用.' You can start to use it in simple sentences like 'The company hires workers' (公司雇用工人). It's a useful word because it helps you talk about the world of work more clearly. You should also notice that the word has two parts: '雇' (to hire) and '用' (to use). So, it literally means 'to hire and use' someone's labor. This makes it easy to remember. When you write a simple letter or a short paragraph about a job you want, you might see this word in the job description. It's a 'Level 2' way of saying 'hire.'

By B1, you are moving into intermediate Chinese. You should be able to use '雇用' (gùyòng) in your writing and speaking when discussing work, the economy, or services. At this level, you need to know the difference between '雇用' and '招聘' (zhàopìn - to recruit). You might say, 'The company is recruiting (招聘) now, and they will hire (雇用) five people next month.' You should also be able to use the passive voice: 'He was hired' (他被雇用了). This is very common in B1 level reading passages. You will also start to see '雇用' in the context of hiring help at home, like a 'baomu' (nanny) or a driver. It sounds professional and clear. You should practice using it in sentences that explain *why* someone is hired, using '为了' (wèile - for/in order to). For example: '为了搬家，我雇用了一辆大卡车和两个工人' (To move house, I hired a big truck and two workers).

At the B2 level, '雇用' (gùyòng) is an essential part of your vocabulary, especially for the HSK 5 and 6 exams or for writing Task 2 essays. You must understand its formal register. You should be able to discuss complex topics like 'illegal hiring' (非法雇用), 'employment contracts' (雇用合同), and 'hiring standards' (雇用标准). At this level, you should also know the nuance between '雇用' and '聘请' (pìnqǐng). If you are writing about a university hiring a famous professor, use '聘请'; if you are writing about a factory hiring workers, use '雇用.' You should also be able to use '雇用' in conditional sentences and as part of formal arguments. For example: '雇用当地员工不仅能降低成本，还能促进当地经济发展' (Hiring local employees not only reduces costs but also promotes local economic development). This level requires you to use the word with precision in professional and academic contexts.

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced command of '雇用' (gùyòng) and be able to use it in sophisticated legal, economic, and social discussions. You should understand how it fits into broader concepts like 'labor relations' (劳动关系) and 'human resource management' (人力资源管理). You should be able to analyze the connotations of '雇用' versus other terms like '任用' (to appoint) or '选拔' (to select). At this level, you might use '雇用' to discuss the history of labor or the ethics of the 'gig economy' (零工经济). You should also be comfortable using it in formal reports, such as '雇用率的波动' (fluctuations in the hiring rate). Your use of the word should reflect an understanding of its legal implications in a contract. You should also be aware of fixed expressions and idioms related to hiring and employment, and be able to use them to add color and depth to your advanced Chinese communication.

At the C2 level, your mastery of '雇用' (gùyòng) should be indistinguishable from that of a native speaker. You should be able to use it in highly specialized fields such as labor law, macroeconomics, or corporate strategy. You can discuss the subtle differences between '雇用' and '雇佣' (gùyōng) in different historical and regional contexts (e.g., Mainland China vs. Taiwan or Hong Kong). You should be able to use the word in complex rhetorical structures, such as in a speech about social responsibility or a deep-dive analysis of employment trends. You should also be able to recognize and use literary or archaic terms related to hiring when appropriate. At this level, '雇用' is not just a vocabulary word; it's a tool for precise expression in the most demanding linguistic environments. You can effortlessly switch between '雇用' and its many synonyms to achieve the exact tone and nuance required for any given situation, whether it's a high-stakes negotiation or a philosophical debate on the nature of work.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

雇用 in 30 Seconds

雇用 (gùyòng) is a formal B2-level verb meaning 'to hire' or 'to employ' in business and legal contexts.
It follows the structure [Employer] + 雇用 + [Employee], often including the purpose of the hiring.
It is more formal than '找' (find) and more general than '聘请' (invite/hire experts).
Essential for Task 2 essays on labor, economy, and Task 1 professional correspondence.

The term 雇用 (gùyòng) is a foundational verb in Chinese business and legal contexts, primarily translated as 'to hire,' 'to employ,' or 'to engage the services of.' At its core, it represents a formal transaction where one party provides payment in exchange for another's labor or expertise. While it might seem simple, the nuances of 雇用 are vital for mastering professional Chinese communication. It is most frequently used when discussing the act of adding staff to a workforce, outsourcing tasks to freelancers, or the general economic activity of employment. In the context of the CEFR B2 level, students are expected to move beyond simple 'job' vocabulary and understand the systemic implications of hiring practices.

Formal Employment: This refers to the official act of bringing someone into a company. For example, 'The tech giant plans to hire 500 engineers' would use 雇用 to denote a formal contractual relationship.

这家跨国公司决定在当地雇用更多的技术工人，以支持其扩张计划。(This multinational company decided to hire more skilled workers locally to support its expansion plan.)

Service Engagement: Beyond long-term staff, it applies to short-term services. If you hire a lawyer for a specific case or a gardener for a weekend, 雇用 is the appropriate term to describe this professional engagement.

为了确保合同的合法性，我们雇用了一位资深的法律顾问。(To ensure the legality of the contract, we hired a senior legal consultant.)

In the landscape of Task 2 essays, you might discuss the ethics of 雇用 child labor or the economic benefits of 雇用 local vs. foreign workers. The word carries a sense of authority; the subject is usually the employer (a company, a boss, or an individual with resources), and the object is the employee or the service provider. In Task 1 letters, you might use it when complaining about the conduct of a person 雇用ed by a service provider or when inquiring about hiring opportunities. Understanding this word allows you to navigate the complexities of the labor market and professional responsibilities in a Chinese-speaking environment.

许多小企业因为无法负担高昂的社保费用而减少雇用人数。(Many small businesses have reduced the number of people they hire because they cannot afford high social security costs.)

Economic Context: In macroeconomics, 雇用 is linked to employment rates (就业率). When the economy is booming, companies increase their hiring (增加雇用); during a recession, they freeze it (冻结雇用).

政府通过提供税收优惠来鼓励企业雇用残疾人士。(The government encourages enterprises to hire people with disabilities by providing tax incentives.)

由于业务量骤增，物流中心不得不临时雇用大批兼职人员。(Due to the sudden increase in business volume, the logistics center had to temporarily hire a large number of part-time staff.)

Using 雇用 (gùyòng) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a transitive verb. It typically follows the structure [Subject] + 雇用 + [Object] (+ [Purpose/Task]). This structure is straightforward, but at the B2 level, you should be able to integrate it into complex sentences involving passive voice, conditional clauses, and adverbial modifiers. The word is versatile enough to describe both the general act of hiring and the specific hiring of a particular individual for a defined role.

The Passive Voice with '被' (bèi): To describe the employee's perspective, use the passive marker. 'He was hired by a top firm' becomes '他被一家顶尖公司雇用。' This emphasizes the outcome for the individual rather than the action of the company.

他在毕业前就被这家知名的会计师事务所雇用了。(He was hired by this well-known accounting firm even before graduation.)

Purpose Clauses: Often, we hire someone *to do* something. In Chinese, the purpose follows the object directly. '雇用某人做某事' (Hire someone to do something) is the standard pattern.

为了提高生产效率，工厂决定雇用专家来优化生产线。(To improve production efficiency, the factory decided to hire experts to optimize the production line.)

学校雇用了多名外教来提高学生的口语水平。(The school hired several foreign teachers to improve the students' speaking skills.)

Another important usage is in nominalized forms or as part of a noun phrase. For example, '雇用合同' (employment contract) or '雇用标准' (hiring standards). These are essential for professional writing. You can also use adverbs to qualify the hiring process: '非法雇用' (illegally hire), '大量雇用' (hire in large numbers), or '临时雇用' (temporarily hire). These modifiers allow for precise descriptions of labor practices.

在签署雇用合同之前，请务必仔细阅读所有条款。(Before signing the employment contract, please be sure to read all clauses carefully.)

Conditional Usage: In essays, you often discuss conditions under which hiring occurs. 'If the company wants to grow, it must hire talent.' (如果公司想要发展，就必须雇用人才。)

如果不雇用更多的人手，我们可能无法按时完成这个项目。(If we don't hire more help, we might not be able to finish this project on time.)

这家餐厅因为非法雇用童工而受到了严厉的处罚。(The restaurant was severely punished for illegally hiring child labor.)

You will encounter 雇用 (gùyòng) in a variety of formal and semi-formal settings. It is a staple of news broadcasts, business negotiations, and legal discussions. If you are watching a Chinese news segment about the economy, you will likely hear it in the context of unemployment rates or job creation. In a corporate environment, it is the standard term used in HR meetings, policy documents, and during the recruitment cycle.

News and Media: Journalists use 雇用 to report on company trends. 'Apple is hiring more staff in China' would be reported using this word to maintain a professional tone.

新闻报道称，随着旅游业的复苏，各大航空公司正在积极雇用新的乘务员。(News reports say that with the recovery of the tourism industry, major airlines are actively hiring new flight attendants.)

Corporate HR and Legal: In the workplace, 雇用 appears in every contract. It defines the relationship between employer (雇主) and employee (雇员). You'll hear it discussed in terms of 'hiring freezes' (冻结雇用) or 'hiring quotas' (雇用配额).

人力资源经理在会议上讨论了公司下半年的雇用计划。(The HR manager discussed the company's hiring plan for the second half of the year at the meeting.)

法律规定，任何公司都不得雇用没有工作许可的外国公民。(The law stipulates that no company may hire foreign citizens who do not have a work permit.)

In academic and essay writing (like HSK 5/6 or university assignments), 雇用 is essential for discussing labor economics, social justice, and management strategies. It allows for a precise discussion of how labor is allocated and the responsibilities of those who control it. You'll also see it in literature or historical texts when describing the hiring of servants, mercenaries, or laborers in different eras.

在一些发展中国家，农业生产仍然主要依靠雇用大量的廉价劳动力。(In some developing countries, agricultural production still mainly relies on hiring a large amount of cheap labor.)

Professional Services: When a company hires a third-party agency (like a marketing firm or a security company), 雇用 is used to describe the business-to-business engagement of labor.

为了重新塑造品牌形象，公司雇用了一家知名的公关公司。(To reshape the brand image, the company hired a well-known PR firm.)

由于缺乏经验，他在雇用新员工时遇到了一些麻烦。(Due to lack of experience, he encountered some trouble when hiring new employees.)

While 雇用 (gùyòng) is a standard term, learners often confuse it with other words related to employment or use it in the wrong register. The most common error is failing to distinguish between 雇用 and its more respectful or specific counterparts like 聘请 (pìnqǐng) or 录用 (lùyòng). Understanding these differences is crucial for achieving a B2 level of naturalness and precision in Chinese.

Confusion with 聘请 (pìnqǐng): Learners often use 雇用 for everyone, but 聘请 is used for high-level experts, professors, or consultants. Using 雇用 for a prestigious professor can sound slightly cold or transactional, as if you are just 'using' them like a tool.

错误：我们雇用了一位著名的科学家。 (Too transactional)
正确：我们聘请了一位著名的科学家。 (More respectful)

Confusion with 录用 (lùyòng): 录用 focuses specifically on the act of 'accepting' a candidate after an interview or exam. 雇用 is the broader term for the ongoing employment relationship. You are 'accepted' (录用) first, then 'employed' (雇用).

经过三轮面试，他终于被公司录用了。(After three rounds of interviews, he was finally accepted/hired by the company.)

错误：公司正在雇用新员工。(Sounds like they are already paying them)
正确：公司正在招聘新员工。(Company is currently recruiting/looking for new employees.)

Another error involves the word '雇佣' (gùyōng). While it is a homophone and often used as a synonym, in some legal and historical contexts, '雇佣' can carry a slightly more negative or 'mercenary' connotation (like 雇佣兵 - mercenary soldier). In standard business writing, stick to 雇用 to be safe. Finally, remember that 雇用 is a transitive verb; you must hire *someone* or *some entity*. You cannot '雇用' a job; you hire a person for a job.

错误：他想要雇用一个工作。 (He wants to hire a job - Incorrect)
正确：他想要找一份工作。 (He wants to find a job.)

Subject-Object Mismatch: The subject must be the one with the power to pay. An employee cannot '雇用' a company. They can only 'join' (加入) or 'work for' (为...工作) a company.

错误：我雇用了这家公司。 (I hired this company - Only correct if you are a client paying them.)
正确：我在这家公司工作。 (I work at this company.)

公司在雇用过程中必须遵守劳动法。(Companies must abide by labor laws during the hiring process.)

Chinese has a rich vocabulary for employment, and choosing the right word depends on the context, the status of the person being hired, and the stage of the hiring process. Comparing 雇用 (gùyòng) with its synonyms helps clarify its specific niche as a general, formal term for labor engagement.

雇用 (gùyòng) vs. 招聘 (zhàopìn): 招聘 refers to the process of advertising and seeking candidates (recruiting). 雇用 is the actual act of hiring them. You see 招聘 on job boards, but 雇用 in the final contract.
雇用 (gùyòng) vs. 聘请 (pìnqǐng): 聘请 is more formal and respectful. It is used for experts, professors, or high-level managers. 雇用 is more general and can apply to any level of labor, from manual workers to professional staff.
雇用 (gùyòng) vs. 录用 (lùyòng): 录用 focuses on the decision to accept a candidate. It is often used in the context of exams or competitive interviews. 'He was accepted' is '他被录用了.'
雇用 (gùyòng) vs. 雇佣 (gùyōng): These are often interchangeable, but 雇用 is the standard in modern mainland China for professional hiring, while 雇佣 can sometimes imply a more historical or slightly less formal 'master-servant' or 'mercenary' tone.

相比于直接雇用全职员工，有些公司更倾向于外包特定的项目。(Compared to directly hiring full-time employees, some companies prefer to outsource specific projects.)

In Task 2 essays, you can use these synonyms to avoid repetition. For instance, start by discussing the 招聘 process, then the criteria for 录用, and finally the benefits of 雇用 a diverse workforce. This shows a high level of lexical resource. Also, consider terms like 任用 (rènyòng - to appoint to a position) or 委派 (wěipài - to delegate/appoint), which are used in more bureaucratic or official contexts.

政府正在研究如何通过政策引导来促进企业雇用更多的高校毕业生。(The government is researching how to encourage enterprises to hire more college graduates through policy guidance.)

虽然雇用经验丰富的员工成本较高，但从长远来看，这通常是值得的。(Although hiring experienced employees costs more, it is usually worth it in the long run.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '雇' contains the 'door' (户) radical and 'bird' (隹). In ancient times, it was related to seasonal birds, but over thousands of years, it became strictly associated with the labor market.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɡû jʊ̂ŋ/

US /ɡu4 juŋ4/

Both syllables carry equal stress as they are both 4th tones.

Rhymes With

有用 (yǒuyòng) 运动 (yùndòng) 费用 (fèiyòng) 利用 (lìyòng) 作用 (zuòyòng) 通用 (tōngyòng) 信用 (xìnyòng) 备用 (bèiyòng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'yong' as 'yong2' (2nd tone) like in 'yóngyuǎn' (forever).
Confusing 'gu' with 'guo' (to pass).
Using the 1st tone for 'gu' like in 'gū' (lonely).
Mumbling the 'ng' sound at the end of 'yong'.
Not distinguishing between 'gùyòng' and 'gùzhǔ' (employer).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in business texts; the characters are distinct.

Writing 4/5

The character '雇' is a bit complex to write by hand.

Speaking 3/5

Standard 4th tones are easy to pronounce if practiced.

Listening 3/5

Clear sound, but watch out for homophones like '雇佣'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

工作公司钱人找

Learn Next

招聘解雇合同福利社保

Advanced

劳动力市场雇佣关系人才储备猎头委派

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verb Usage

公司雇用他。 (Subject + Verb + Object)

Passive with 被 (bèi)

他被公司雇用了。 (Object + 被 + Subject + Verb)

Purpose Clauses

雇用他来管理工厂。 (Hire him to manage the factory)

Adverbial Modification

非法雇用。 (Adverb + Verb)

Nominalization

雇用是一个复杂的过程。 (Hiring is a complex process)

Examples by Level

公司雇用他。

The company hires him.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.

我雇用一个老师。

I hire a teacher.

Use '个' as a general measure word.

他雇用我工作。

He hires me to work.

Verb + Object + Verb (Purpose).

谁雇用你？

Who hires you?

Question word '谁' as the subject.

不雇用他。

(They) do not hire him.

Negative '不' before the verb.

你要雇用谁？

Who do you want to hire?

Auxiliary verb '要' (want) before '雇用'.

他们雇用很多人。

They hire many people.

'很多人' as the object.

我想被雇用。

I want to be hired.

Passive structure with '被'.

这家饭店雇用了很多服务员。

This restaurant hired many waiters.

Using '这家' as a classifier for the restaurant.

我的爸爸雇用了一个司机。

My dad hired a driver.

Standard Subject + Verb + Object.

公司决定雇用新员工。

The company decided to hire new employees.

'决定' (decide) followed by the verb phrase.

他没有被雇用。

He was not hired.

Negative passive '没有被'.

我想雇用一个帮手。

I want to hire a helper.

'帮手' is a common informal term for a helper.

他们为什么雇用你？

Why did they hire you?

'为什么' (why) used in a question.

商店雇用学生打工。

The shop hires students to work part-time.

'打工' (part-time work) as the purpose.

这个月公司雇用了五个人。

The company hired five people this month.

Time phrase '这个月' at the beginning.

为了完成项目，我们必须雇用专家。

To complete the project, we must hire experts.

'为了...' (In order to...) sets the purpose.

他因为表现出色而被公司雇用。

He was hired by the company because of his excellent performance.

'因为...而...' (Because... therefore...) structure.

雇用一名好的律师非常重要。

Hiring a good lawyer is very important.

'雇用...' used as a gerund/subject.

公司去年雇用了多少名员工？

How many employees did the company hire last year?

Using '多少名' for a formal count of people.

如果你雇用他，你不会后悔的。

If you hire him, you won't regret it.

Conditional '如果...就/会...'.

这家公司只雇用有经验的人。

This company only hires experienced people.

'只' (only) modifies the verb '雇用'.

我们需要雇用更多的人手来搬家。

We need to hire more hands to move.

'人手' (manpower/hands) is a common collocation.

被大型跨国公司雇用是他的梦想。

To be hired by a large multinational company is his dream.

Passive phrase as the subject of the sentence.

企业在雇用过程中不应有歧视行为。

Enterprises should not have discriminatory behavior during the hiring process.

'在...过程中' (In the process of...).

法律严格禁止雇用童工。

The law strictly prohibits hiring child labor.

'禁止' (prohibit) + Verb + Object.

雇用合同中应该明确工资和福利。

Salary and benefits should be clearly stated in the employment contract.

'雇用合同' (employment contract) as a compound noun.

由于经济不景气，很多公司停止了雇用。

Due to the economic downturn, many companies have stopped hiring.

'由于...，...' (Due to..., ...).

雇用当地劳动力有助于树立企业形象。

Hiring local labor helps to establish a corporate image.

'有助于' (conducive to/helps to) + Verb phrase.

我们打算临时雇用一名翻译。

We plan to temporarily hire a translator.

Adverb '临时' (temporarily) before the verb.

雇用成本包括社保和培训费用。

Hiring costs include social security and training expenses.

'雇用成本' (hiring costs) as a subject.

他被雇用为该部门的高级顾问。

He was hired as a senior consultant for the department.

'被雇用为' (be hired as...).

雇用率的上升通常预示着经济的复苏。

An increase in the hiring rate usually signals an economic recovery.

'雇用率' (hiring rate) used in a macro-context.

公司在雇用新成员时非常看重团队协作能力。

The company values teamwork ability highly when hiring new members.

'看重' (to value/think highly of).

非法雇用移民工人会面临巨额罚款。

Illegally hiring migrant workers will result in huge fines.

'面临' (to face/be confronted with).

尽管雇用成本在上升，但人才储备依然是核心竞争力。

Despite rising hiring costs, talent reserves remain the core competitiveness.

'尽管...但...' (Despite... but...).

该政策旨在鼓励中小企业雇用残疾人士。

The policy aims to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to hire people with disabilities.

'旨在' (aimed at/with the goal of).

在雇用决策中，主观偏见往往难以完全避免。

In hiring decisions, subjective bias is often difficult to completely avoid.

'难以' (difficult to) + Verb.

雇用外包团队可以为公司节省大量的运营成本。

Hiring outsourced teams can save the company a lot of operating costs.

'节省' (to save/economize).

他因涉嫌雇用杀手而被警方逮捕。

He was arrested by the police on suspicion of hiring a hitman.

'涉嫌' (suspected of) + Verb phrase.

雇用关系的本质是劳动力所有权与使用权的暂时分离。

The essence of the employment relationship is the temporary separation of labor ownership and use rights.

Highly academic '本质' (essence) and '分离' (separation).

在全球化背景下，雇用模式正发生着深刻的变革。

In the context of globalization, hiring models are undergoing profound changes.

'发生着...变革' (undergoing... changes).

企业在雇用博弈中往往处于相对强势的地位。

Enterprises often occupy a relatively strong position in the hiring game.

'博弈' (game theory/game) and '强势' (strong/dominant).

雇用合同的射幸性在某些特定行业表现得尤为明显。

The aleatory nature of employment contracts is particularly evident in certain specific industries.

Using advanced legal terms like '射幸性' (aleatory nature).

灵活雇用机制的引入，既是机遇也是挑战。

The introduction of flexible hiring mechanisms is both an opportunity and a challenge.

'既是...也是...' (Both... and...).

通过雇用多元化的管理团队，公司得以在复杂市场中保持敏锐。

By hiring a diversified management team, the company is able to remain sharp in complex markets.

'得以' (be able to/so that... can).

雇用歧视不仅损害个人利益，更侵蚀了社会的公平正义。

Hiring discrimination not only harms individual interests but also erodes social fairness and justice.

'不仅...更...' (Not only... but even more...).

在后工业时代，雇用不再仅仅是获取体力的手段，更是获取创造力的途径。

In the post-industrial era, hiring is no longer just a means of obtaining physical strength, but a way of obtaining creativity.

'不再仅仅是...更是...' (No longer just... but even more...).

Synonyms

聘请招收聘用录用

Antonyms

解雇辞退开除

Common Collocations

雇用员工

非法雇用

雇用合同

临时雇用

大量雇用

雇用标准

雇用成本

被公司雇用

雇用程序

歧视性雇用

Common Phrases

雇用关系

— The legal and professional relationship between employer and employee.

雇用关系受法律保护。

雇用协议

— A formal agreement or contract regarding employment.

双方签署了雇用协议。

雇用期

— The duration or term of employment.

他的雇用期为三年。

雇用率

— The rate at which people are being hired in an economy.

本季度的雇用率有所下降。

雇用配额

— A specific number of people required to be hired (e.g., for diversity).

公司达到了残疾人雇用配额。

雇用决定

— The final choice of who to hire.

经理做出了雇用决定。

雇用政策

— The rules and guidelines a company follows for hiring.

我们的雇用政策非常公平。

雇用广告

— An advertisement for a job opening.

他在报纸上看到了雇用广告。

雇用偏好

— A preference for a certain type of candidate during hiring.

公司对本地人才有雇用偏好。

雇用风险

— The potential downsides or liabilities of hiring someone.

背景调查可以降低雇用风险。

Often Confused With

雇用 vs 聘请

Learners use '雇用' for experts; '聘请' is better for high status.

雇用 vs 招聘

Learners use '雇用' for the search process; '招聘' is the correct term for recruiting.

雇用 vs 录用

Learners use '雇用' for the act of accepting; '录用' is the specific 'you got the job' moment.

Idioms & Expressions

"招兵买马"

— Literally 'to recruit soldiers and buy horses'; used to describe expanding a team or business.

公司正在招兵买马，准备进军新市场。

Idiomatic

"礼贤下士"

— To treat talented people with respect and humility in order to hire them.

这位老板礼贤下士，吸引了很多精英。

Literary/Idiomatic

"求贤若渴"

— To be extremely eager to find and hire talented people.

我们公司求贤若渴，欢迎各位加入。

Idiomatic

"任人唯贤"

— To appoint or hire people based on their merit and ability.

成功的企业总是任人唯贤。

Idiomatic/Formal

"任人唯亲"

— To hire people based on personal relationships or favoritism (nepotism).

任人唯亲会损害公司的长期利益。

Idiomatic/Negative

"三顾茅庐"

— To invite someone repeatedly and sincerely to take a job (from a historical story).

为了请他当顾问，老板三顾茅庐。

Literary/Idiomatic

"伯乐相马"

— A good judge of talent (Bole) recognizing a talented person (the horse).

他很幸运遇到了能识才的伯乐。

Idiomatic

"大材小用"

— To hire a highly talented person for a low-level job (waste of talent).

让他扫地简直是大材小用。

Idiomatic

"得力助手"

— A capable and helpful assistant or employee.

他是老板的得力助手。

Common Phrase

"广纳贤才"

— To recruit and hire talented people from all over.

公司通过广纳贤才来保持创新。

Formal/Idiomatic

Easily Confused

雇用 vs 雇佣

Homophone and synonym.

雇用 is more common in modern business/legal Mainland China; 雇佣 can sound more traditional or negative.

他雇佣了一名杀手 (Often used for hitmen/mercenaries).

雇用 vs 找

Both mean 'getting someone for a task'.

找 is informal and general; 雇用 is formal and implies a contract/payment.

我找个朋友帮忙 vs 我雇用一个工人。

雇用 vs 利用

Both use '用' (use).

利用 means 'to exploit' or 'to make use of' (can be negative); 雇用 is the neutral act of hiring.

他利用我的感情 vs 他雇用我工作。

雇用 vs 借

Sometimes people think of 'borrowing' labor.

借 is to borrow; 雇用 is to pay for labor. You can't 'borrow' an employee in a legal sense.

我借你的书 vs 我雇用你的员工。

雇用 vs 买

Both involve paying money.

买 is for objects; 雇用 is for people's services.

买车 vs 雇用司机。

Sentence Patterns

S + 雇用 + O

我雇用他。

S + 雇用 + O + V

公司雇用他开车。

S + 被 + 雇用

他被公司雇用了。

为了...，S + 雇用...

为了省钱，他不雇用工人。

在...过程中，雇用...

在雇用过程中，我们要公平。

由于...，停止雇用

由于没钱，公司停止雇用。

雇用...旨在...

雇用他旨在提高效率。

雇用...不仅...更...

雇用他不仅是需要他的技术，更是需要他的经验。

Word Family

Nouns

雇主 (gùzhǔ) - Employer

雇员 (gùyuán) - Employee

被雇用者 (bèi gùyòng zhě) - Hired person

雇用制 (gùyòng zhì) - Employment system

Verbs

雇 (gù) - To hire

用 (yòng) - To use

解雇 (jiěgù) - To fire

续雇 (xùgù) - To re-hire/extend contract

Adjectives

可雇用的 (kě gùyòng de) - Employable

受雇的 (shòu gù de) - Employed

工资 (gōngzī)

劳动 (láodòng)

合同 (hétóng)

失业 (shīyè)

福利 (fúlì)

How to Use It

frequency

High in business, medium in daily life.

Common Mistakes

雇用一辆车 → 租一辆车
You 'rent' (租) objects, but 'hire' (雇用) people.
我雇用在这家公司。 → 我在这家公司工作。
'雇用' is something an employer does. An employee says they 'work' (工作) or are 'employed' (被雇用).
公司正在雇用会计。 → 公司正在招聘会计。
If the company is still looking, use '招聘' (recruiting). '雇用' implies the act is done or decided.
雇用一位著名的教授。 → 聘请一位著名的教授。
For high-status professionals, '聘请' is more respectful and appropriate.
他想雇用一个工作。 → 他想找一份工作。
You don't hire a job; you hire a person OR you find a job.

Tips

Verb-Object Structure

Always remember that '雇用' is a transitive verb. You must follow it with the person or group being hired. You cannot say 'I want to hire' without saying 'who'.

Respect Matters

Use '聘请' for teachers, experts, and high-level managers. Using '雇用' for them isn't wrong, but '聘请' sounds much more professional and respectful.

Task 2 Essays

In essays about employment, use '雇用' to discuss the employer's actions and '就业' (jièyè) to discuss the general state of being employed.

The 'Iron Rice Bowl'

Being '雇用'ed by the government or a state-owned enterprise is historically called the 'Iron Rice Bowl' (铁饭碗) because it's so stable.

Interview Language

If you are in an interview, the employer might say '我们决定雇用你.' This is the moment you've been waiting for!

Contracts

The term '雇用合同' is the standard legal term for an employment contract. Look for this at the top of any job agreement in China.

Hiring Costs

When discussing '雇用成本' (hiring costs), remember that in China this includes not just salary but also '五险一金' (five insurances and one fund).

Homophone Alert

Don't confuse '雇用' (gùyòng) with '共有' (gòngyǒu - shared/jointly owned). They sound somewhat similar to beginners.

Guanxi

While '雇用' is formal, many people are still '雇用'ed through '关系' (guanxi - connections). It's good to mention this in discussions about the Chinese job market.

HSK 5/6

'雇用' is a frequent word in HSK 5 and 6 reading passages. Make sure you can recognize it quickly and understand its nuances compared to '招聘'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'GOO' (雇 - gù) and 'YOUNG' (用 - yòng). You 'GOO' (hire) someone 'YOUNG' (use their energy) for the job. Or remember: 'Gù' sounds like 'Good' - you hire 'Good' people to 'Yòng' (use) their skills.

Visual Association

Imagine a hand (the employer) holding a bag of money and handing it to another person (the employee) who is holding a tool (the labor). This represents the exchange in '雇用'.

Word Web

雇主 (Employer) 雇员 (Employee) 工资 (Salary) 合同 (Contract) 解雇 (Fire) 工作 (Work) 招聘 (Recruit) 录用 (Accept)

Challenge

Try to write three sentences using '雇用' to describe: 1. A company hiring 100 people. 2. A person hiring a lawyer. 3. A government policy about hiring.

Word Origin

The word is composed of two characters: 雇 (gù) and 用 (yòng). 雇 historically referred to hiring a bird (specifically a migratory bird that returns at a fixed time), which evolved to mean hiring labor at a fixed time or for a fee. 用 means 'to use.' Together, they literally mean 'to hire and use.'

Original meaning: To engage someone's services for a fee.

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing '雇用' in the context of migrant workers (外来务工人员) or child labor, as these are sensitive social issues in China.

In English, 'hire' is used for both people and things (hire a car), but in Chinese, '雇用' is specifically for people or their services. For cars, use '租' (zū).

The Chinese Labor Law (劳动法) which defines '雇用' rights. Economic reports from the NBS (National Bureau of Statistics) regarding '雇用率'. Modern Chinese dramas like 'Ideal City' (理想之城) which depict corporate hiring.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Job Market

雇用新员工
雇用率上升
雇用标准
雇用计划

Legal/Contracts

雇用合同
非法雇用
雇用条款
终止雇用

Personal Services

雇用保姆
雇用司机
雇用律师
雇用翻译

Economic News

增加雇用
冻结雇用
雇用配额
雇用趋势

Education/Research

雇用研究生
雇用助理
雇用专家
雇用顾问

Conversation Starters

"你们公司最近在雇用新员工吗？ (Is your company hiring new employees recently?)"

"你觉得雇用当地人有什么好处？ (What do you think are the benefits of hiring local people?)"

"如果你要雇用一名助理，你最看重什么？ (If you were to hire an assistant, what would you value most?)"

"你曾经被哪家公司雇用过？ (Which company have you been hired by before?)"

"雇用童工在你们国家合法吗？ (Is hiring child labor legal in your country?)"

Journal Prompts

谈谈你第一次被公司雇用的经历。你当时有什么感觉？ (Talk about your first experience being hired. How did you feel?)

如果你是一家大公司的CEO，你会如何制定雇用政策？ (If you were the CEO of a large company, how would you formulate hiring policies?)

讨论一下人工智能是否会减少企业对人类员工的雇用。 (Discuss whether AI will reduce the hiring of human employees by enterprises.)

写一封信给你的老板，建议公司雇用更多的多元化人才。 (Write a letter to your boss suggesting the company hire more diverse talent.)

描述一下非法雇用对社会和个人的负面影响。 (Describe the negative impact of illegal hiring on society and individuals.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, for hiring/renting a car, you should use '租' (zū). '雇用' is exclusively for people or professional services. For example, you '租' a car but you '雇用' a driver.

In many contexts, yes. However, '雇用' is the standard term in modern legal and business documents in Mainland China. '雇佣' is more common in Taiwan and can sometimes carry a slightly different connotation in literature.

Use '聘请' (pìnqǐng) when the person you are hiring has high status, specialized expertise, or when you want to show respect. For example, you '聘请' a professor or a famous consultant, but you '雇用' a general worker.

Yes, it can function as a noun in phrases like '雇用合同' (employment contract) or '雇用成本' (hiring costs). However, its primary use is as a verb.

Yes, very frequently. '他被公司雇用了' (He was hired by the company) is a standard way to express that someone got a job.

'招聘' (zhàopìn) is the process of recruiting (posting ads, interviewing). '雇用' (gùyòng) is the result—the actual act of hiring the person and putting them on the payroll.

Yes, you can '雇用' a professional service company, like a PR firm or a law firm. It implies you are engaging their professional labor.

In Chinese, it is '冻结雇用' (dòngjié gùyòng). This is a common phrase in business news during economic downturns.

It is neutral and professional. It is not impolite, but in very personal or informal situations, it might sound a bit cold. In those cases, '请' (qǐng) or '找' (zhǎo) is softer.

It means 'illegal hiring.' It is used when a company hires someone without a work permit, hires child labor, or violates labor laws.