Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
雇佣 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
雇佣gùyōngto employHSK 7, v, rank #3640, Hard
雇佣gùyōngto hireHSK 7, v, rank #3640, Hard
gùyōng(gu4yong1) T4
  1. 1to employ
  2. 2to hire
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
雇佣(雇傭)gùyōng(gu4yong1)

The term 雇佣 (gùyōng) refers to the act of employing or hiring someone for a job or service. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing employment relationships, contracts, or services rendered, emphasizing a mutual agreement between the employer and the employee.

Frequency#3640DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, employment often emphasizes loyalty and long-term relationships between employers and employees, which is reflected in the word 雇佣. The concept of 'guanxi' (relationships) plays a significant role in hiring practices.

Memory Tip

Think of 雇 (gù) as 'to hire' with a 'big umbrella' (the roof radical) protecting the worker, while 佣 (yōng) sounds like 'young' workers being hired. Imagine a young person standing under an umbrella, waiting to be hired for a job.

Meanings of 雇佣

gùyōng(gu4yong1)
1to employ
2to hire
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 雇佣

雇佣Simplified
雇傭Traditional
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3640Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 雇佣

JasonAmy

Podcast: 雇佣

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 雇佣

Quick Contrast

聘用 (pìnyòng) - use 雇佣 (gùyōng) when emphasizing the act of hiring someone, while 聘用 (pìnyòng) often implies a more formal or long-term employment relationship.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 雇 (gù) as 'to hire' with a 'big umbrella' (the roof radical) protecting the worker, while 佣 (yōng) sounds like 'young' workers being hired. Imagine a young person standing under an umbrella, waiting to be hired for a job.

Usage Notes

Be cautious of using this term in overly casual situations, as it may imply a lack of respect for the employment relationship. Common collocations include 雇佣合同 (gùyōng hétong - employment contract) and 雇佣关系 (gùyōng guānxì - employment relationship). Avoid confusing it with the more casual terms for 'to ask' or 'to recruit'.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 雇佣 connects with other employment-related vocabulary such as 职位 (zhíwèi - position) and 招聘 (zhāopìn - recruitment). Focus on understanding its usage in formal contexts, such as contracts and job descriptions.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, employment often emphasizes loyalty and long-term relationships between employers and employees, which is reflected in the word 雇佣. The concept of 'guanxi' (relationships) plays a significant role in hiring practices.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 雇佣 with 招聘 (zhāopìn - recruitment), using them interchangeably incorrectly. For example, saying '我正在雇佣新员工' (Wǒ zhèngzài gùyōng xīn yuángōng - I am recruiting new employees) should be corrected to '我正在招聘新员工'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 雇佣

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 雇佣 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

employment; to hire, to employ
HSK 712 strokes
View full entry
yōngcommission (for middleman)
7 strokes
View full entry

Write 雇佣

Practice writing 雇佣 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 雇佣

雇佣 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

____有经验、了解房地产业的人。

Hire someone with experience, someone who knows about real estate.

Example Sentences for 雇佣 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
雇佣有经验、了解房地产业的人。

gù yōng yǒu jīng yàn、 、 le jiě fáng dì chǎn yè de。

Hire someone with experience, someone who knows about real estate.

Cultural Notes for 雇佣

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, employment often emphasizes loyalty and long-term relationships between employers and employees, which is reflected in the word 雇佣. The concept of 'guanxi' (relationships) plays a significant role in hiring practices.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, hiring may focus more on qualifications and skills, while in China, personal connections and loyalty can significantly influence employment decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions about 雇佣

雇佣 (gùyōng) specifically refers to hiring for a job, while 聘用 (pìnyòng) often implies a more formal appointment or engagement for professional roles.