兼 (concurrently / at the same time)

• Pinyin: jiān
• Formation: Subject + 兼 + Verb + Noun 1 + 和 + Noun 2 / Subject + 是 + Noun 1 + 兼 + Noun 2
• Hanzi breakdown: 兼 = 丷 (eight/divide) + two 禾 (grain), depicting holding two sheaves of grain at once

Meaning

兼 (jiān) indicates that a subject simultaneously holds two roles, possesses two qualities, or performs two functions at the same time. It conveys the idea of combining or doing double duty.

兼 is used in several common constructions: 兼任 (to concurrently hold a position), 兼具 (to possess both qualities), and 兼顾 (to attend to both sides). When connecting two nouns to describe dual roles, the pattern is typically 是 + Noun 1 + 兼 + Noun 2. Unlike 也 (also) or 又 (again), which describe separate additional facts, 兼 stresses that both roles or qualities exist simultaneously and are inherently combined. It is commonly used in formal and semi-formal contexts such as job descriptions, product features, and biographical introductions.

Examples

1. 她在公司兼任市场部和销售部的主管。 She concurrently serves as the supervisor of both the marketing and sales departments at the company.
2. 他是这部电影的导演兼编剧。 He is the director and screenwriter of this film.
3. 这款软件兼具实用性和美观性。 This software combines both practicality and aesthetic appeal.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, formal

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 这位年轻的创业者兼顾事业和家庭，令人敬佩。
• 她是一名医生兼作家，出版了多部畅销书。
• 这道菜兼具色香味，深受食客喜爱。
• 他在学校兼任数学老师和足球教练。

Don't Say

• 他兼是老师和医生。(兼 cannot directly modify 是 — use 是 + Noun 1 + 兼 + Noun 2 or 兼任) → 他是老师兼医生。
• 我兼去超市和银行。(兼 does not mean 'also go to' — it expresses holding dual roles or qualities simultaneously, not performing sequential actions) → 我先去超市，再去银行。

Origin & History

兼 originally depicted a hand holding two stalks of grain simultaneously in oracle bone script, conveying the meaning of 'holding both at once.' Since Classical Chinese it has expressed combining multiple roles, qualities, or responsibilities.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal