公务员

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 她通过考试成为了公务员。▶ —
   She passed the exam and became a civil servant.
2. 公务员要为人民服务。▶ —
   Civil servants must serve the people.

Collocations

Mnemonic

公 gōng "public" + 务 wù "affairs" + 员 yuán "personnel": a Sino-Korean word "civil servant". Personnel handling public affairs, broadly including ordinary administrative staff, a wider scope than 官员 (officials with posts). 考公务员 = to sit the civil-service exam. Distinct from 职员 (a company employee).

Related

Quick check

1. How do 公务员 and 官员 differ?

   • 公务员 = public-affairs staff broadly; 官员 = officials with posts/authority
   • opposite
   • 公务员 = merchant; 官员 = student
   • both company workers