空缺

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kōngquē: 空缺 - Vacancy, Opening, Unfilled Post

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: kongque, kōngquē, 空缺, Chinese for vacancy, job opening in Chinese, unfilled position, professional Chinese, business Chinese, HSK 5 vocabulary, 空缺 meaning, how to say vacancy in Chinese.
  • Summary: Discover the meaning of 空缺 (kōngquē), the essential Chinese word for a job vacancy or unfilled position. This comprehensive guide is perfect for learners aiming to work in a Chinese-speaking environment. We'll break down 空缺 into its core characters, provide practical example sentences for job hunting and business contexts, and explain how to use it correctly to discuss openings in a company or organization in Mandarin Chinese.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): kōngquē
  • Part of Speech: Noun (primarily); Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 5
  • Concise Definition: A vacancy, an opening, or an unfilled position, especially in a job, committee, or organization.
  • In a Nutshell: 空缺 (kōngquē) is the standard, slightly formal term for a “vacancy.” Think of it as the word you would see in an official job posting (a “招聘启事 zhāopìn qǐshì”) or use when speaking with HR. It precisely describes a role or position that is currently empty and needs to be filled. While it can be used as a verb (“the position is vacant”), it is most commonly used as a noun (“there is a vacancy”).

Character Breakdown

  • 空 (kōng): This character means “empty,” “hollow,” or “vacant.” It's the same character found in words like 空气 (kōngqì), meaning “air,” and 有空 (yǒu kòng), meaning “to have free time.” It pictorially represents a cave or hole (穴) being worked on or cleared out by a tool (工), resulting in an empty space.
  • 缺 (quē): This character means “to lack,” “a deficiency,” or “a gap.” It's used in words like 缺少 (quēshǎo), “to lack,” and 缺点 (quēdiǎn), “shortcoming” or “weakness.” It suggests that something is missing or incomplete.
  • The two characters combine literally and logically: an “empty” (空) position that has a “lack” (缺) of a person. Together, they create the precise meaning of an unfilled post or vacancy.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • 空缺 (kōngquē) is a practical term whose significance is tied to China's modern, dynamic economy. While the concept of a “vacancy” is universal, its cultural weight in China has shifted dramatically.
  • In the past, under the “iron rice bowl” (铁饭碗 tiě fànwǎn) system, a secure job in a state-owned enterprise was for life, and a 空缺 was rare and highly sought after, often filled internally or through connections. Today, in China's competitive market economy, 空缺 represents opportunity, mobility, and the constant churn of talent. The term is now a standard part of the vocabulary for millions of university graduates and professionals navigating the job market.
  • Comparison to English: Similar to how “vacancy” in English sounds more formal than “job opening,” 空缺 (kōngquē) is more formal than simply asking a friend, “你们公司要人吗？” (Nǐmen gōngsī yào rén ma? - “Is your company hiring?”). Using 空缺 demonstrates a professional understanding of business and employment contexts, making it essential for anyone looking to work or conduct business in China.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • 空缺 (kōngquē) is primarily used in professional and formal settings.
  • In Business and HR: A Human Resources department will announce, “我们公司有一个市场经理的空缺” (Wǒmen gōngsī yǒu yí ge shìchǎng jīnglǐ de kōngquē - “Our company has a vacancy for a marketing manager”). It's the official term for an open role on an organizational chart.
  • In Job Seeking: An applicant might say, “我来应聘这个空缺” (Wǒ lái yìngpìn zhège kōngquē - “I am here to apply for this vacancy”). It shows you are aware of the specific, official opening.
  • In News and Reports: Media reports on the economy might discuss the number of 空缺 in a particular industry to indicate its health and growth.
  • Formality: It is neutral to formal. You would rarely use it in a very casual chat unless the specific topic is a formal job search. For a casual context, you'd be more likely to use phrases like “找工作 (zhǎo gōngzuò - look for a job)” or ask if a company is “招人 (zhāo rén - recruiting people).”

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 我们公司目前正好有一个空缺。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī mùqián zhènghǎo yǒu yí ge kōngquē.
    • English: Our company happens to have a vacancy right now.
    • Analysis: This is a very common and direct sentence an HR manager or employee might say to a potential candidate.
  • Example 2:
    • 他辞职后，留下了一个重要的空缺。
    • Pinyin: Tā cízhí hòu, liúxiàle yí ge zhòngyào de kōngquē.
    • English: After he resigned, he left an important vacancy.
    • Analysis: This highlights that 空缺 refers to the position itself, which is left empty after someone's departure.
  • Example 3:
    • 我们需要尽快填补这个空缺。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào jǐnkuài tiánbǔ zhège kōngquē.
    • English: We need to fill this vacancy as soon as possible.
    • Analysis: The verb 填补 (tiánbǔ), meaning “to fill in (a gap)”, is the perfect partner for 空缺. This is a key verb-object collocation to learn.
  • Example 4:
    • 请问贵公司还有其他的空缺吗？
    • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn guì gōngsī hái yǒu qítā de kōngquē ma?
    • English: Excuse me, does your esteemed company have any other vacancies?
    • Analysis: A polite and formal way for a job seeker to inquire about other opportunities. Note the use of the respectful 贵公司 (guì gōngsī).
  • Example 5:
    • 这个职位空缺了半年，一直没找到合适的人。
    • Pinyin: Zhège zhíwèi kōngquē le bàn nián, yìzhí méi zhǎodào héshì de rén.
    • English: This position has been vacant for half a year; they still haven't found a suitable person.
    • Analysis: This sentence demonstrates the less common verbal usage of 空缺, meaning “to be vacant.”
  • Example 6:
    • 由于业务扩张，公司创造了十个新的空缺。
    • Pinyin: Yóuyú yèwù kuòzhāng, gōngsī chuàngzàole shí ge xīn de kōngquē.
    • English: Due to business expansion, the company created ten new vacancies.
    • Analysis: Shows how 空缺 can be quantified and used in the context of company growth.
  • Example 7:
    • 我在网站上看到了你们的招聘广告，想申请这个空缺。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ zài wǎngzhàn shàng kàndàole nǐmen de zhāopìn guǎnggào, xiǎng shēnqǐng zhège kōngquē.
    • English: I saw your recruitment ad on the website and would like to apply for this vacancy.
    • Analysis: This is a perfect, practical sentence for an email or phone call when applying for a job.
  • Example 8:
    • 董事会正在讨论由谁来接替这个空缺。
    • Pinyin: Dǒngshìhuì zhèngzài tǎolùn yóu shéi lái jiētì zhège kōngquē.
    • English: The board of directors is discussing who will take over this vacant position.
    • Analysis: This example shows 空缺 being used in a high-level corporate context. 接替 (jiētì) means “to replace” or “to take over a role.”
  • Example 9:
    • 目前技术部门的空缺最多。
    • Pinyin: Mùqián jìshù bùméi de kōngquē zuì duō.
    • English: Currently, the technical department has the most vacancies.
    • Analysis: Useful for internal discussions about hiring needs across different departments.
  • Example 10:
    • 填补这个空缺是我们的首要任务。
    • Pinyin: Tiánbǔ zhège kōngquē shì wǒmen de shǒuyào rènwù.
    • English: Filling this vacancy is our top priority.
    • Analysis: Emphasizes the urgency and importance of the hiring process. 首要任务 (shǒuyào rènwù) means “top priority” or “primary task.”

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • 空缺 (kōngquē) vs. 空位 (kōngwèi): This is the most common mistake for learners.
    • 空缺 (kōngquē) refers to an abstract position or role in an organization.
    • 空位 (kōngwèi) refers to a physical empty seat or space (e.g., on a bus, in a cinema, at a table).
    • Incorrect: 电影院里有很多空缺。 (Diànyǐngyuàn lǐ yǒu hěn duō kōngquē.)
    • Correct: 电影院里有很多空位。 (Diànyǐngyuàn lǐ yǒu hěn duō kōngwèi.) - There are many empty seats in the cinema.
    • Correct: 我们公司有一个空缺。 (Wǒmen gōngsī yǒu yí ge kōngquē.) - Our company has a vacancy.
  • 空缺 (kōngquē) vs. 机会 (jīhuì):
    • 空缺 is a concrete, specific, and official “vacancy.” It's a defined job that is open.
    • 机会 (jīhuì) means “opportunity” or “chance.” It is much more abstract and general. A company might offer many opportunities for promotion (晋升机会 jìnshēng jīhuì) without having any current vacancies.
    • Example: 这家公司有很多发展机会 (jīhuì), 但是目前没有空缺 (kōngquē). - This company has many opportunities for development, but currently has no vacancies.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • `职位 (zhíwèi)` - Position; Post. This is the thing that can have a 空缺. It's the role itself.
  • `招聘 (zhāopìn)` - To recruit; Recruitment. This is the process of filling a 空缺.
  • `应聘 (yìngpìn)` - To apply for a job. This is the action a candidate takes in response to a 空缺.
  • `填补 (tiánbǔ)` - To fill (a vacancy, a gap). The most common verb used with 空缺.
  • `岗位 (gǎngwèi)` - Post; Station; Job. A close synonym for 职位, often used for more specific or functional roles.
  • `空位 (kōngwèi)` - Empty seat. A “false friend” that refers to a physical space, not a job role.
  • `缺少 (quēshǎo)` - To lack; to be short of. The verb form of the character 缺, describing the state of needing something.
  • `辞职 (cízhí)` - To resign. The action that often creates a 空缺.
  • `入职 (rùzhí)` - To start a new job; to be onboarded. The action that resolves a 空缺.