职能

• Pinyin: zhí néng
• Hanzi breakdown: 职 = 耳 (ear) + 戈 (weapon), meaning duty/position; 能 = ability/function

Meaning

Function; duties; role. The specific responsibilities or capabilities of an organization or position.

Used in organizational and governmental contexts. Common phrases: 政府职能 (government functions), 职能部门 (functional department), 履行职能 (perform duties). More formal than 功能.

Examples

1. 政府应该转变职能，提高服务效率。 The government should transform its functions and improve service efficiency.
2. 这个部门的主要职能是审核项目申请。 The main function of this department is to review project applications.
3. 人力资源部负责多项职能。 The HR department is responsible for multiple functions.

Usage Guide

Context: government, organization, business

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 这是我们部门的核心职能。(This is our department's core function.)
• 职能分工要明确。(The division of functions should be clear.)

Don't Say

• 手机的职能 (For devices, use 功能 — 职能 is for organizations/positions)

Origin & History

Compound of 职 (duty, position) and 能 (ability, function). The abilities of a position.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal