jígé: 及格 - To Pass (an exam), To Meet a Standard

• Keywords: jige, 及格, pass an exam in Chinese, pass a test, meet the standard, pass fail Chinese, Chinese for school, HSK vocabulary, academic standards China, Chinese education
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 及格 (jígé), which means “to pass” an exam or “to meet a minimum standard.” This page explores not just the translation, but the deep cultural significance of passing in China's competitive education system. Discover how to use 及格 (jígé) in everyday conversation about school, work, and even quality of life, and understand its nuances compared to similar words like `通过 (tōngguò)`.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jígé
• Part of Speech: Verb / Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To pass a test, examination, or evaluation by meeting the minimum required standard.
• In a Nutshell: 及格 (jígé) is the official line between failure and success in any formal evaluation, most notably school exams. It's not about doing well; it's about doing just enough to avoid failing. The feeling associated with it is usually relief rather than pride. Think of it as clearing the lowest bar required to move on.

• 及 (jí): The primary meaning here is “to reach” or “to attain.” Imagine reaching out and just managing to touch something.
• 格 (gé): This character means “standard,” “rule,” or “grid.” It represents a defined benchmark or a line that must be met.

When combined, 及格 (jígé) literally means “to reach the standard.” This etymology perfectly captures the word's essence: you have successfully reached the pre-defined minimum requirement.

In many Western cultures, “just passing” can sometimes be a badge of honor, summed up by the phrase “C's get degrees.” The attitude can be one of strategic minimalism. In China, the cultural weight of 及格 (jígé) is much heavier. The Chinese education system is famously rigorous, culminating in the 高考 (gāokǎo), the national college entrance exam that can largely determine a person's future. In this environment, failure is not taken lightly. 不及格 (bù jígé), or failing, can mean repeating a year, disappointing one's family, and facing a more difficult path in life. Therefore, 及格 (jígé) is the absolute, non-negotiable minimum. While the ultimate goal is always a high score (高分 gāofēn), achieving 及格 (jígé) is a moment of profound relief. It signifies survival and the chance to continue. It's less a celebration of achievement and more a sigh of relief that you've avoided disaster. There is a well-known cynical student slogan, “六十分万岁 (liùshí fēn wànsuì),” which translates to “Long live 60 points!” (as 60 is the typical passing score out of 100). This phrase reflects a counter-cultural weariness with the immense academic pressure, expressing a desire to do just enough to get by.

While its roots are in academia, 及格 (jígé) is used in various contexts where a minimum standard applies.

• Academic Context (Most Common): Discussing grades, exams, and graduating.
  • e.g., “Did you pass the math test?” (你数学考试及格了吗？)
• Professional and Quality Control: Evaluating performance, products, or services.
  • e.g., “These parts don't meet the quality standard.” (这批零件质量不及格。)
• Metaphorical and Informal Usage: Judging a person's performance in a role, often humorously or critically.
  • e.g., “As a boyfriend, he barely passes.” (他当男朋友，勉强及格。)

The connotation is generally neutral. It's a factual statement. However, telling an anxious student “你及格了” (You passed) can be very comforting, while describing someone's efforts as merely “及格” can be a mild form of criticism, implying they did the bare minimum.

• Example 1:
  • 我这次期末考试终于及格了，太险了！
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhè cì qīmò kǎoshì zhōngyú jígé le, tài xiǎn le!
  • English: I finally passed the final exam this time, that was so close!
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly captures the feeling of relief. 终于 (zhōngyú) means “finally,” and 太险了 (tài xiǎn le) means “that was so risky/close,” highlighting the anxiety involved.
• Example 2:
  • 这次考试的及格线是60分。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì kǎoshì de jígéxiàn shì liùshí fēn.
  • English: The passing line for this exam is 60 points.
  • Analysis: This introduces the compound noun 及格线 (jígéxiàn), which literally means “passing line.” It's a very common and useful term.
• Example 3:
  • 他因为三门课不及格，所以需要补考。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi sān mén kè bù jígé, suǒyǐ xūyào bǔkǎo.
  • English: Because he failed three subjects, he needs to take make-up exams.
  • Analysis: This shows the negative form 不及格 (bù jígé), “to fail,” and a common consequence: 补考 (bǔkǎo), a make-up exam.
• Example 4:
  • 我只希望能及格就行了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhǐ xīwàng néng jígé jiù xíng le.
  • English: I just hope I can pass, and that'll be good enough.
  • Analysis: A classic phrase for a student who is not confident about their performance. 就行了 (jiù xíng le) emphasizes that passing is the sole, minimum goal.
• Example 5:
  • 他只是勉强及格，离优秀还差得远呢。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhǐshì miǎnqiǎng jígé, lí yōuxiù hái chà de yuǎn ne.
  • English: He just barely passed; he's still a long way from being excellent.
  • Analysis: Using 勉强 (miǎnqiǎng) with 及格 is extremely common and means “to scrape by” or “barely pass.” It contrasts passing with being 优秀 (yōuxiù), or excellent.
• Example 6:
  • 作为一个父亲，他是不及格的。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yīgè fùqīn, tā shì bù jígé de.
  • English: As a father, he is unqualified (he fails).
  • Analysis: This is a perfect example of the metaphorical use of the term. It applies the pass/fail concept to a life role, carrying a strong critical tone.
• Example 7:
  • 所有出厂的产品都必须质量及格。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu chūchǎng de chǎnpǐn dōu bìxū zhìliàng jígé.
  • English: All products that leave the factory must have passing-grade quality.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates its use in a business or manufacturing context, referring to quality control standards.
• Example 8:
  • 恭喜你，所有科目都及格了！你可以顺利毕业了。
  • Pinyin: Gōngxǐ nǐ, suǒyǒu kēmù dōu jígé le! Nǐ kěyǐ shùnlì bìyè le.
  • English: Congratulations, you've passed all your subjects! You can graduate smoothly.
  • Analysis: Here, passing everything is a condition for a major life event, 毕业 (bìyè), or graduation.
• Example 9:
  • 他就差一分及格，真可惜。
  • Pinyin: Tā jiù chà yī fēn jígé, zhēn kěxī.
  • English: He was just one point short of passing, what a shame.
  • Analysis: 差 (chà) means “to be short of” or “to lack.” This sentence highlights how 及格 is a sharp, unforgiving line.
• Example 10:
  • 老师，我的论文及格了吗？
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī, wǒ de lùnwén jígé le ma?
  • English: Teacher, did my paper pass?
  • Analysis: A simple, practical question any student might ask. 论文 (lùnwén) means “thesis” or “academic paper.”

• `及格 (jígé)` vs. `通过 (tōngguò)`: This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
  • 及格 (jígé): Specifically means to meet a minimum score or standard. It is tied to an evaluation with a clear pass/fail line. You 及格 a test (考试), a course (课), or a quality check (质量检查).
  • 通过 (tōngguò): Is much broader. It means “to pass through,” “to get approved,” or “to pass” in a more general sense. You 通过 an interview (面试), a security check (安检), a proposal (提议), or a new law (法案).

You can often use 通过 for exams as well (e.g., 我通过了HSK四级考试), and it sounds perfectly natural. However, you cannot use 及格 for things like interviews or security checks.

• Common Mistake:
  • Incorrect: 我及格了我的驾照考试。(Wǒ jígé le wǒ de jiàzhào kǎoshì.)
  • Analysis: While the driving test has a score, the overall result is approval to drive. 通过 is much more common and natural here.
  • Correct: 我通过了我的驾照考试。(Wǒ tōngguò le wǒ de jiàzhào kǎoshì.) - I passed my driving test.
  • Correct (focusing on the score): 我的笔试及格了。(Wǒ de bǐshì jígé le.) - I passed the written portion of the test.
• Connotation Pitfall: Remember, 及格 is not high praise. If a friend tells you they passed and you reply with, “哇，你及格了！” (Wow, you passed!), it might sound like you had very low expectations for them. A better response would be, “太棒了！” (That's great!) or “恭喜你！” (Congratulations!).

• 不及格 (bù jígé) - The direct antonym: to fail, to not meet the standard.
• 通过 (tōngguò) - A broader, often interchangeable synonym meaning to pass, to get through, or to be approved.
• 挂科 (guàkē) - A very common and informal slang term for failing a course. Literally “to hang a subject.” More colloquial than 不及格.
• 分数 (fēnshù) - Score, grade, mark. The number that determines if you 及格.
• 及格线 (jígéxiàn) - The passing line; the specific score needed to pass.
• 考试 (kǎoshì) - Exam, test. The primary event where one's goal is to 及格.
• 满分 (mǎnfēn) - A perfect score, full marks. The aspirational opposite of merely getting a 及格.
• 补考 (bǔkǎo) - A make-up exam, taken after 不及格.
• 勉强 (miǎnqiǎng) - Adverb meaning “barely” or “with great difficulty.” Often paired with 及格 to mean “to just scrape by.”
• 高考 (gāokǎo) - The National College Entrance Examination, the ultimate high-stakes test in China where 及格 is the absolute bare minimum for many universities.