出任

• Pinyin: chū rèn
• Hanzi breakdown: 出 = to come forth; 任 = 亻 (person) + 壬 (responsibility) = to serve/post

Meaning

To take up a post; to assume office; to serve as.

Formal term for assuming an official position or role. Often used in announcements about appointments to important positions. More formal than 担任.

Examples

1. 他出任公司首席执行官一职。 He took up the position of Chief Executive Officer.
2. 新任大使将于下周出任驻美外交官。 The new ambassador will assume the diplomatic post in the US next week.
3. 她被邀请出任电影节的评委。 She was invited to serve as a judge at the film festival.

Usage Guide

Context: appointments, official, business

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 他将于明年正式出任市长。(He will officially assume the position of mayor next year.)
• 她出任这个重要职位后推行了多项改革。(After assuming this important position, she implemented many reforms.)

Don't Say

• 我出任打扫卫生 (Too formal for menial tasks — use 负责 or just describe the task)

Origin & History

Compound of 出 (to come forth) and 任 (to serve/post). Coming forward to take up a responsibility.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal