就任

• Pinyin: jiù rèn
• Hanzi breakdown: 就 = 京 (tall place) + 尤 (phonetic) — to approach, to take up; 任 = 亻(person) + 壬 (phonetic) — duty, post, to appoint

Meaning

To take up a post; to assume an official position or assignment.

Describes formally taking on a new position, particularly in government, academia, or senior management. Slightly less ceremonial than 就职 — 就任 emphasises entering into a role and its responsibilities, while 就职 often implies a formal inauguration ceremony. Commonly followed by a position title: 就任总统 (assume the presidency), 就任校长 (take up the role of principal).

Examples

1. 新任市长正式就任后，第一件事便是深入基层调研，广泛听取民意。 After the new mayor formally assumed office, his first act was to conduct grassroots investigations and listen extensively to public opinion.
2. 他放弃了待遇优厚的私企职位，选择就任边远山区的援助专员，令同事钦佩。 He turned down a lucrative private-sector position and chose to take up a post as an aid specialist in a remote mountainous region, earning the admiration of his colleagues.
3. 董事会宣布，前财务总监将于下月正式就任公司首席执行官一职。 The board announced that the former CFO would officially assume the role of chief executive officer next month.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, business, official appointments, news

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 她上周正式就任集团副总裁，主管市场部门。(She officially took up the post of group vice president last week, overseeing the marketing division.)
• 新校长就任以来，推行了一系列教学改革，得到师生广泛好评。(Since the new principal assumed the role, she has implemented a series of teaching reforms, winning broad praise from staff and students.)

Don't Say

• 他明天就任新工作。(就任 is for formal posts and positions — for starting a new job in general, use 入职 or 上班)

Origin & History

就 (to go to, to take up) + 任 (duty, post, to appoint). Together: to go to and take on a duty; to assume a post. A classical administrative compound still widely used today.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal