名额

• Pinyin: míng é
• Hanzi breakdown: 名 = name/person; 额 = 客 (phonetic) + 页 (head), forehead, extended to quota/amount. Named spots.

Meaning

Quota; number of places available; allocated spots.

Refers to the fixed number of positions or opportunities available for something, such as enrollment, participation, or hiring. Common phrases: 招生名额 (enrollment quota), 参赛名额 (competition slots), 名额有限 (limited spots available). Often implies scarcity and competition.

Examples

1. 这个培训班名额有限，想报名的话得抓紧。 This training course has limited spots — you'll need to sign up quickly if you want in.
2. 公司今年的招聘名额比去年增加了一倍。 The company's hiring quota this year has doubled compared to last year.
3. 他通过选拔赛获得了代表国家参赛的名额。 He secured a spot to represent the country through the qualifying competition.

Usage Guide

Context: education, business, competitions

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 名额已满，下次请早。(All spots are filled — please come earlier next time.)
• 还剩几个名额？(How many spots are left?)

Don't Say

• 把名额和名字混淆 (名额 is about quotas/slots, not actual names)

Origin & History

Compound of 名 (name/person counted) + 额 (quota/amount). The counted number of named positions.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal