聘

pìn

甹 + 耳

HSK 3.0Level 7

Frequency#2253

Definitions

pìn (verb) to hire; to employ

pìn (verb,noun) to betroth; engagement gift

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 耳 represents the meaning and 甹 represents the sound.

Semantic: 耳 Phonetic: 甹

About

The character "聘" is structured with the semantic component "耳" (ear) and the phonetic component "甹". Its early usage centered on sending messengers to conduct inquiries or diplomatic missions, reflecting the semantic link of "耳" to hearing or listening. The meaning later narrowed to refer specifically to the formal ceremonies of betrothal and marriage proposals, which involved emissaries negotiating unions. Over time, the term generalized to encompass the act of hiring or engaging someone for employment, becoming its dominant modern sense.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

公司招聘新员工。

Gōngsī zhāopìn xīn yuángōng.

The company is recruiting new employees.

他们聘请了一位专家。

Tāmen pìnqǐngle yī wèi zhuānjiā.

They hired an expert.

学校正在聘用新老师。

Xuéxiào zhèngzài pìnyòng xīn lǎoshī.

The school is hiring new teachers.

他们送来了丰厚的聘礼。

Tāmen sòngláile fēnghòu de pìnlǐ.

They sent generous betrothal gifts.

招聘广告登在报纸上。

Zhāopìn guǎnggào dēng zài bàozhǐ shàng.

The recruitment advertisement is in the newspaper.

为了扩大业务，公司决定招聘更多人才。

Wèile kuòdà yèwù, gōngsī juédìng zhāopìn gèng duō réncái.

To expand the business, the company decided to recruit more talent.

经过严格面试，他终于被聘用了。

Jīngguò yángé miànshì, tā zhōngyú bèi pìnyòngle.

After a strict interview, he was finally hired.

如果通过考核，你将被聘任为部门经理。

Rúguò tōngguò kǎohé, nǐ jiāng bèi pìnrèn wéi bùmén jīnglǐ.

If you pass the assessment, you will be appointed as department manager.

Related Characters

Component: 甹

Component: 耳

聘