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B2 noun 7 min read

职能

zhineng
Examples 职能 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 职能 in your Level:
At the A1 level, '职能' (zhínéng) is quite advanced. You don't need to use it in daily life yet. Think of it as a fancy way to say 'job' or 'what something does'. For example, if you are learning about a hospital, the hospital's 'job' is to help sick people. In formal Chinese, we call this its 'zhinéng'. It's like a superhero's 'power' but for a company or a government. You won't use this when talking to friends about your weekend, but you might see it on a sign in a big office building. Just remember: 职 (zhí) looks like a person standing at a desk (duty), and 能 (néng) means 'can' (power). So, 'duty-power' is the function of an office.
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At the A2 level, you are starting to learn about workplaces and public services. '职能' (zhínéng) is a noun used to describe the official role of a department. For example, the 'HR department' has a 'function' (职能). When you visit a bank, its 'zhinéng' is to manage money. You can compare it to '工作' (gōngzuò - work). While '工作' is the action of working, '职能' is the reason the job exists. If you are writing a simple essay about your dream job in a company, you might say 'The function of this job is very important.' This sounds much more professional than just saying 'This job is good.'
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At the B1 level, you should begin distinguishing between '职能' and '功能'. '功能' (gōngnéng) is for things like your phone, a car, or a microwave. '职能' (zhínéng) is for people, roles, and organizations. In a professional setting, you will hear phrases like '职能部门' (functional departments). These are the parts of a company that do specific things, like Finance or Marketing. You should be able to use '职能' in a sentence to describe what a government or a school does for society. For example: 'The school's function is to teach students.' Using '职能' shows you understand the formal structure of society.
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At the B2 level, '职能' is an essential word for discussing management, economics, and politics. You should understand that it refers to the inherent duties and powers of a position or organization within a system. You will encounter it in complex phrases like '职能转变' (transformation of functions) and '履行职能' (to fulfill functions). At this level, you should be able to discuss how different departments in a company interact and how their 'functions' might overlap (职能交叉). It is also used in biological contexts to describe the specialized roles of organs, though '功能' remains more common there. Using this word correctly in writing will give your work a professional, academic tone.
At the C1 level, you must master the nuances of '职能' in abstract and theoretical contexts. It is often used in discussions about systemic efficiency, institutional reform, and social theory. You should be comfortable using it to analyze the 'latent functions' (潜在职能) and 'manifest functions' (显性职能) of social institutions. In a business context, you might discuss '职能型组织结构' (functional organizational structure) versus '矩阵型结构' (matrix structure). You should also be able to use it as a modifier in formal legal or administrative language, such as '职能范围的界定' (the definition of the scope of functions). Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word as a component of systemic operations.
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At the C2 level, '职能' is used with precision in high-level discourse on political science, macroeconomics, and philosophy. You might use it to discuss the 'evolution of state functions' in the era of globalization or the 'functional differentiation' (职能分化) of modern society. At this level, the word is no longer just about 'jobs' but about the ontological role of entities within a complex system. You should be able to critique whether an organization is 'dysfunctional' (职能失调) or if its 'functions are misplaced' (职能错位). Your vocabulary should include highly specific collocations like '职能耦合' (functional coupling) or '职能剥离' (functional divestiture), used in the context of corporate restructuring or administrative theory.
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Examples

职能 in 30 Seconds

  • A formal noun for 'function' or 'role' within an organization.
  • Used for people, departments, and government bodies, not machines.
  • Common in business, management, and political discourse.
  • Differs from '功能' (mechanical function) and '职责' (specific duties).

The Chinese word 职能 (zhínéng) is a sophisticated noun typically used in professional, administrative, and organizational contexts. It refers to the specific functions, roles, or duties that an entity—be it a person, a department, or a government body—is designed to perform. Unlike the more general word for 'ability' (能力) or 'job' (工作), 职能 carries a structural connotation, implying that the function is an inherent part of a formal system.

Organizational Context
In a corporate setting, 职能 describes the specialized tasks of different departments. For instance, a 'functional department' (职能部门) refers to units like HR, Finance, or Legal that support the core business operations through their specific expertise.

政府的主要职能之一是维护社会治安。 (One of the primary functions of the government is to maintain social order.)

The term is composed of two characters: 职 (zhí), meaning 'office' or 'duty', and 能 (néng), meaning 'ability' or 'capacity'. Together, they represent the 'capacity to fulfill a duty'. You will frequently encounter this word in formal documents, management textbooks, and news reports discussing structural reforms or institutional changes.

Government Reform
In Chinese political discourse, '转变政府职能' (transforming government functions) is a common phrase referring to shifting the government's role from direct market intervention to social management and public service.

人力资源部的职能不仅是招聘，还包括员工培训。 (The function of the HR department is not just recruitment, but also employee training.)

When discussing personal career development at a high level, one might discuss their '职能定位' (functional positioning), which describes how their specific skills and duties fit into the broader company strategy. It is less about 'what I do' and more about 'what role I serve' within the system.

Biological Metaphor
Occasionally, 职能 can be used in biology to describe the specific role an organ plays within a system, though 功能 is more common there. Using 职能 in biology adds a layer of formal, systematic description.

大脑的各项职能分工非常明确。 (The various functions of the brain have a very clear division of labor.)

明确每个岗位的职能是提高效率的关键。 (Clarifying the functions of each post is the key to improving efficiency.)

这台机器的职能（注意：此处通常用“功能”）是自动包装。 (The function of this machine is automatic packaging. Note: '功能' is usually preferred for machines.)

Using 职能 correctly requires understanding its role as a formal noun. It usually acts as the subject or object of a sentence, or as a modifier in a compound noun phrase. It is rarely used in casual daily conversation about chores or simple tasks.

As a Direct Object
Common verbs that take 职能 as an object include 履行 (lǚxíng - to perform/fulfill), 发挥 (fāhuī - to exert/bring into play), and 强化 (qiánghuà - to strengthen).

为了应对危机，银行必须充分发挥其监管职能。 (In order to deal with the crisis, the bank must fully exert its regulatory functions.)

When used as a modifier, 职能 links with other nouns to create professional terminology. This is the most frequent way you will see the word in a business or legal context.

Compound Phrases
Examples include: 职能范围 (scope of functions), 职能交叉 (overlapping functions), and 职能转变 (transformation of functions).

这两个部门之间存在职能交叉的问题。 (There is an issue of overlapping functions between these two departments.)

In academic writing, 职能 is often used to discuss the 'social functions' of institutions like schools or the media. Here, it describes the purposeful impact these institutions have on society.

媒体的教育职能在现代社会中日益突出。 (The educational function of the media is becoming increasingly prominent in modern society.)

Professional Responsibility
It is often paired with 职责 (zhízé - responsibility). While 职责 focuses on what you must do, 职能 focuses on what you are designed to do.

我们必须明确界定各级管理人员的职能与权限。 (We must clearly define the functions and authorities of managers at all levels.)

法律赋予了该机构多项行政职能。 (The law has endowed the agency with multiple administrative functions.)

这个职位的核心职能是协调跨部门合作。 (The core function of this position is to coordinate cross-departmental cooperation.)

The word 职能 is a staple of 'officialdom' and 'corporate speak' in China. If you are watching CCTV News (Xinwen Lianbo) or reading the People's Daily, you will hear it constantly in the context of governance and policy.

Government News
Whenever the State Council discusses 'streamlining administration' (简政放权), the word 职能 is used to describe how the government is changing its 'functions' to be more efficient.

我们要进一步优化政府职能配置。 (We need to further optimize the allocation of government functions.)

In the workplace, particularly in large state-owned enterprises (SOEs) or multinational corporations (MNCs), 职能 appears in organizational charts and job descriptions. An 'HR Business Partner' might talk about '职能支持' (functional support).

Management Meetings
Managers use it to define boundaries. If someone is doing work they shouldn't be, a boss might say, '这超出了你的职能范围' (This exceeds your functional scope).

销售部门和市场部门的职能应该区分清楚。 (The functions of the sales department and the marketing department should be clearly distinguished.)

Academic lectures on sociology, economics, or political science frequently utilize this word to describe the 'mechanisms' of society. For example, the 'economic function' (经济职能) of a family or the 'stabilizing function' (稳定职能) of a legal system.

货币具有五大基本职能。 (Money has five basic functions.)

Legal Documents
Contracts and statutes use 职能 to specify the powers and duties granted to a specific entity or office.

该委员会将履行协调和监督的职能。 (The committee will perform the functions of coordination and supervision.)

在公司重组中，一些冗余的职能被合并了。 (During the company restructuring, some redundant functions were merged.)

The most common mistake learners make with 职能 is confusing it with its close cousins: 功能 (gōngnéng), 能力 (nénglì), and 职责 (zhízé). While they all relate to 'doing things', their registers and targets are very different.

Mistake 1: Using '职能' for Machines
You cannot say '这台手机有很多职能'. Machines have '功能'. 职能 requires a 'duty' (职), which usually implies a person or a social organization.

错误：电脑的职能很强大。 (Incorrect: The computer's 'zhinéng' is powerful. Use '功能'.)

Another mistake is confusing 职能 with personal 'ability' (能力). 能力 is what you can do (skill), while 职能 is what you should do based on your position.

Mistake 2: Confusing Role with Skill
If you want to say someone is talented, use '能力'. If you want to say what their job entails, use '职能'.

错误：他的职能很强。 (Incorrect: His function is very strong. Use '能力'.)

Lastly, learners often mix up 职能 (function) and 职责 (duty/responsibility). 职责 is more specific and often involves a list of tasks. 职能 is broader and describes the purpose of the existence of a role.

Mistake 3: Over-complicating Simple Jobs
For a simple part-time job, '职责' is more appropriate. '职能' is usually for systemic or institutional roles.

正确：作为财务总监，他的核心职能是资本运作。 (Correct: As CFO, his core function is capital operations.)

错误：这个司机的职能是开车。 (Incorrect: Use '职责' or just '工作' for simple tasks.)

To master 职能, you must see how it fits into a semantic web of related terms. Each word has a specific nuance that makes it suitable for different contexts.

功能 (gōngnéng) vs. 职能 (zhínéng)
功能 is universal: it applies to machines, software, and biological organs. 职能 is social/professional: it applies to people, departments, and organizations.
职责 (zhízé) vs. 职能 (zhínéng)
职责 focuses on responsibility and accountability (what you MUST do). 职能 focuses on the role and capacity (what you ARE DESIGNED to do).
作用 (zuòyòng) vs. 职能 (zhínéng)
作用 means 'effect' or 'impact'. It is more general. You can say 'This medicine has an effect (作用)', but you wouldn't say it has a 'zhinéng'.

虽然他的职能是管理，但他实际上起到了协调的作用。 (Although his function is management, he actually played a coordinating role/effect.)

In very formal or historical contexts, you might also see 职权 (zhíquán), which refers to 'administrative power' or 'authority'. While 职能 is about the work itself, 职权 is about the power to make others do work.

这种新药发挥了预防疾病的功能。 (Note: This uses '功能' because it is a physical/biological effect.)

各部门要各司其职，履行好自己的职能。 (Each department should perform its own duties and fulfill its functions well.)

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Examples by Level

1

这个部门的职能是帮人。

The function of this department is to help people.

Simple Subject + 是 + Verb phrase.

2

老师的职能是教书。

The teacher's function is to teach.

Using '职能' to describe a professional role.

3

医院有什么职能？

What functions does a hospital have?

Question form with '什么'.

4

他的职能很重要。

His function is very important.

Subject + Adjective.

5

我不明白这个职能。

I don't understand this function.

Negative sentence with '不明白'.

6

这是你的职能吗？

Is this your function?

Interrogative sentence with '吗'.

7

公司的职能很多。

The company has many functions.

Using '很多' to describe quantity.

8

请说明你的职能。

Please explain your function.

Polite request with '请'.

1

银行的主要职能是存钱和借钱。

The main function of a bank is to save and lend money.

Using '主要' (main) as a modifier.

2

每个员工都有自己的职能。

Every employee has their own function.

Using '每个...都' for 'every'.

3

这个职位的职能是什么？

What is the function of this position?

Focusing on '职位' (position).

4

我们需要明确这个部门的职能。

We need to clarify the function of this department.

Using '明确' as a verb.

5

他的职能和我的不一样。

His function is different from mine.

Comparison with '和...不一样'.

6

政府的职能是服务人民。

The government's function is to serve the people.

Formal definition of a role.

7

这个机构的职能已经改变了。

The function of this organization has already changed.

Present perfect with '已经...了'.

8

我们要学习不同的管理职能。

We need to learn different management functions.

Using '职能' as a noun modified by '管理'.

1

职能部门在公司运营中起着关键作用。

Functional departments play a key role in company operations.

Using '起着...作用' (play a role).

2

我们需要重新界定各岗位的职能范围。

We need to redefine the scope of functions for each post.

Using '界定' (define) and '范围' (scope).

3

由于职能交叉，两个部门经常发生冲突。

Due to overlapping functions, the two departments often have conflicts.

Using '由于' (due to) to show cause.

4

履行好监管职能是政府的责任。

Performing regulatory functions well is the government's responsibility.

Using '履行' (fulfill/perform).

5

这个软件的职能... 抱歉，应该是“功能”。

This software's function... sorry, it should be 'gōngnéng'.

Illustrating the difference between '职能' and '功能'.

6

他被赋予了更多的管理职能。

He was given more management functions.

Passive voice with '被赋予'.

7

职能的转变需要时间来适应。

The transformation of functions needs time to adapt.

Abstract subject with '需要'.

8

我们应该发挥社区的自我管理职能。

We should exert the self-management function of the community.

Using '发挥' (exert/bring into play).

1

转变政府职能是当前行政改革的核心。

Transforming government functions is the core of current administrative reform.

Noun phrase as the subject.

2

核心职能的缺失会导致组织效率低下。

The lack of core functions will lead to low organizational efficiency.

Using '缺失' (lack) and '导致' (lead to).

3

法律明确规定了该机构的行政职能。

The law clearly stipulates the administrative functions of the agency.

Using '规定' (stipulate).

4

公司的财务职能不仅限于会计核算。

The company's finance function is not limited to accounting.

Using '不仅限于' (not limited to).

5

职能部门应当为一线业务提供支持。

Functional departments should provide support for front-line business.

Using '应当' (should) in a formal sense.

6

我们要强化审计部门的监督职能。

We need to strengthen the supervisory function of the audit department.

Using '强化' (strengthen).

7

大脑的不同区域承担着不同的职能。

Different regions of the brain undertake different functions.

Using '承担' (undertake/bear).

8

由于职能定位不准，该项目最终失败了。

Due to inaccurate functional positioning, the project ultimately failed.

Using '职能定位' (functional positioning).

1

社会组织的职能在于填补政府与市场之间的空白。

The function of social organizations lies in filling the gap between the government and the market.

Using '在于' (lies in).

2

职能分化是现代社会演进的重要标志。

Functional differentiation is an important sign of modern social evolution.

Using '职能分化' as a sociological term.

3

我们要理顺部门之间的职能关系，避免推诿扯皮。

We must straighten out the functional relationships between departments to avoid passing the buck.

Using '理顺' (straighten out) and idiomatic '推诿扯皮'.

4

货币的支付手段职能是随着商品经济的发展而产生的。

The function of money as a means of payment emerged with the development of the commodity economy.

Using '随着...而' (along with).

5

该机构的职能已经从单纯的审批转向了综合服务。

The agency's functions have shifted from simple approval to comprehensive services.

Using '从...转向' (from... to).

6

职能型结构的优点在于专业化分工明确。

The advantage of a functional structure lies in the clear division of labor.

Academic structure '...的优点在于...'.

7

必须警惕行政职能过度扩张带来的风险。

One must be wary of the risks brought by the excessive expansion of administrative functions.

Using '警惕' (be wary of) and '扩张' (expansion).

8

这种管理模式弱化了基层的职能自主权。

This management model weakened the functional autonomy of the grassroots level.

Using '弱化' (weaken) and '自主权' (autonomy).

1

国家职能的履行必须在法治的框架内进行。

The fulfillment of state functions must be carried out within the framework of the rule of law.

High-level political/legal phrasing.

2

职能错位往往是导致行政体制运行不畅的根源。

Functional displacement is often the root cause of the poor operation of the administrative system.

Using '职能错位' (functional displacement).

3

在全球化背景下，主权国家的职能面临着前所未有的挑战。

In the context of globalization, the functions of sovereign states face unprecedented challenges.

Using '前所未有' (unprecedented).

4

职能耦合理论为解释组织间的协同效应提供了新视角。

The theory of functional coupling provides a new perspective for explaining the synergistic effects between organizations.

Using '职能耦合' (functional coupling).

5

我们要探索建立职能有机统一的行政管理体制。

We should explore the establishment of an administrative management system with organically unified functions.

Using '有机统一' (organically unified).

6

职能的剥离与重组是大型企业实现瘦身健体的重要手段。

The divestiture and restructuring of functions are important means for large enterprises to achieve 'slimming down and health'.

Using metaphor '瘦身健体'.

7

该理论强调了教育在阶层流动中的职能筛选作用。

The theory emphasizes the functional screening role of education in social mobility.

Using '职能筛选' (functional screening).

8

随着人工智能的发展，人类在劳动力市场中的职能边界正在被重塑。

With the development of AI, the functional boundaries of humans in the labor market are being reshaped.

Using '职能边界' (functional boundaries).

Common Collocations

履行职能
发挥职能
职能部门
转变职能
核心职能
职能范围
职能定位
行政职能
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