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候选人 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
候选人hòuxuǎnréncandidateHSK 7, unknown, 21 strokes, rank #4588, Very Hard
hòuxuǎnrén(hou4xuan3ren2)hou xuan ren T4
  1. 1candidate
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March 24, 2026

候选人(候選人)hòuxuǎnrén(hou4xuan3ren2)

候选人 (hòuxuǎnrén) refers to a candidate who is being considered for a position, role, or selection in various contexts, such as elections or job applications. This term is commonly used in political and professional environments where individuals are nominated or apply for specific responsibilities.

Strokes21Frequency#4588DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese politics, 候选人 often refers to individuals nominated for local or national elections, reflecting the importance of collective decision-making in governance. The selection process can sometimes involve public opinion and party endorsements.

Memory tip

Think of 候 (hòu) as 'waiting' and 选 (xuǎn) as 'to choose'. Imagine a person waiting for their turn to be chosen as a candidate, like standing in line for a job interview. The character 人 (rén) means 'person', solidifying the idea of a person waiting to be selected.

Meanings of 候选人

hòuxuǎnrén(hou4xuan3ren2)
1candidate
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About 候选人

候选人Simplified
候選人Traditional
21Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
名Measure Word
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 候选人

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AI Study Notes for 候选人

Quick Contrast

候选者 (hòuxuǎnzhě) is a more general term for a candidate, while 候选人 (hòuxuǎnrén) specifically refers to a person being considered for a role or position.

Usage Notes

Ensure you use 候选人 in contexts related to selection or nomination, as it specifically refers to candidates. A common mistake is using it too casually; it’s more formal. Be careful with tones, particularly the fourth tone in 候 (hòu) and the third tone in 选 (xuǎn).

HSK Study Tips

While 候选人 is not explicitly listed in HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 4 terms related to jobs and elections. Focus on understanding the components of the word and how they relate to other words like 选举 (election) and 申请 (application).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 候选人 with 选手 (xuǎnshǒu), which means 'contestant' or 'player'. Remember, 候选人 is specifically for candidates in nominations or selections, not competitions.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 候选人

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Component Characters

候hòuto wait
HSK 510 strokes亻
View full entry
选xuǎnto choose
HSK 39 strokes辶
View full entry
人rénman
HSK 12 strokes人
View full entry

How to say candidate in Chinese

“candidate” in Chinese is候选人hòuxuǎnrén

候选人 (hòuxuǎnrén) refers to a candidate who is being considered for a position, role, or selection in various contexts, such as elections or job applications. This term is commonly used in political and professional environments where individuals are nominated or apply for specific responsibilities.

When to use 候选人

Ensure you use 候选人 in contexts related to selection or nomination, as it specifically refers to candidates. A common mistake is using it too casually; it’s more formal. Be careful with tones, particularly the fourth tone in 候 (hòu) and the third tone in 选 (xuǎn).

候选人 or something close to it

候选者 (hòuxuǎnzhě) is a more general term for a candidate, while 候选人 (hòuxuǎnrén) specifically refers to a person being considered for a role or position.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 候选人 with 选手 (xuǎnshǒu), which means 'contestant' or 'player'. Remember, 候选人 is specifically for candidates in nominations or selections, not competitions.

Write 候选人

候
选
人

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Cultural Notes for 候选人

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, a candidate is often seen as an individual vying for a position, whereas in China, the concept of 候选人 may also encompass collective representation and party affiliation more heavily.

Frequently Asked Questions about 候选人

No, 候选人 can also refer to candidates in job applications and other selection processes.

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