提拔

• Pinyin: tí bá
• Hanzi breakdown: 提 = 扌(hand) + 是 (is) — to raise; 拔 = 扌(hand) + 犮 (to pull) — to pull up

Meaning

To promote; to elevate to a higher position. Professional advancement.

Used in workplace contexts for promoting employees to higher positions. Often implies recognition of ability and trust. Can be used with sponsors or mentors who help advance someone's career.

Examples

1. 他工作出色，很快就被提拔为部门经理。 He performed outstandingly at work and was quickly promoted to department manager.
2. 老板很赏识她的能力，一路提拔她到现在的位置。 The boss appreciated her abilities and promoted her all the way to her current position.
3. 公司内部提拔比外部招聘更能激励员工的积极性。 Internal promotion can motivate employees more than external hiring.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, career, management

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 她被提拔为总监了。(She was promoted to director.)
• 感谢领导的提拔。(Thank you for the promotion, boss.)

Don't Say

• 把平级调动说成'提拔' (Don't call a lateral transfer 提拔 — it specifically means moving up)

Origin & History

提 means to raise, 拔 means to pull up — raising someone to a higher position.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal