及格

• Pinyin: jí gé
• Hanzi breakdown: 及 = 人 (person) + hand reaching — to catch up to, to reach; 格 = 木 (wood) + 各 (each, phonetic) — a frame or standard

Meaning

To pass (an exam or standard); passing grade. Meeting the minimum required score or threshold.

Specifically refers to reaching the minimum passing score, typically 60 out of 100 in the Chinese education system. Can be used literally for exams or figuratively for meeting a basic standard. The opposite is 不及格 (fail). Common collocations include 考试及格 (pass an exam) and 及格线 (passing line/threshold).

Examples

1. 这次数学考试他差一分才及格。 He was just one point short of passing the math exam this time.
2. 只要认真复习，及格应该没有问题。 As long as you review carefully, passing shouldn't be a problem.
3. 她所有科目都及格了，终于可以放心了。 She passed all her subjects and can finally feel relieved.

Usage Guide

Context: education, exams, standards

Tone: matter-of-fact

Do Say

• 你这次英语考试及格了吗？(Did you pass the English exam this time?)
• 及格分数是六十分。(The passing score is sixty points.)

Don't Say

• 这个饭菜很及格 (Don't use 及格 to praise food — it implies barely meeting a minimum standard, which sounds like faint praise; use 好吃 or 不错 instead)

Origin & History

及 (to reach, to come up to) + 格 (standard, level) — reaching the required standard.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal