任务

rèn wu

mission; assignment; task; duty; role

HSK 4

Character Breakdown

Understanding 任务 (rènwu)

The word 任务 primarily means 'task,' 'mission,' or 'duty.' It is commonly used in both professional and everyday contexts to describe assigned work or responsibilities. When someone talks about a 任务, they often imply a specific goal or obligation that needs to be fulfilled.

Usage and Nuances

任务 can refer to a concrete task, such as a work assignment, or a broader mission, like a project goal. It often appears in formal or semi-formal contexts but is also used in casual speech when discussing responsibilities.

Common Collocations

  • 完成任务 (wánchéng rènwu): to complete a task or mission
  • 任务分配 (rènwu fēnpèi): task assignment
  • 任务 (rènwu shū): task description or assignment document

These collocations highlight how 任务 is often paired with verbs or nouns related to managing or fulfilling duties.

Tips

Avoid confusing 任务 with 工作 (gōngzuò), which means 'work' or 'job' in a broader sense. 任务 usually implies a specific task or mission within a job or project. When describing general work, 工作 is more appropriate.

In conversation, mentioning 任务 often signals a focus on responsibility and completion, so it carries a slightly formal tone compared to casual words like (shìr).

Example Sentences

他完成了公司的重要任务。

Tā wánchéngle gōngsī de zhòngyào rènwu.

He completed an important task for the company.

这次任务需要团队合作才能完成。

Zhè cì rènwu xūyào tuánduì hézuò cáinéng wánchéng.

This mission requires teamwork to complete.

他的任务是监督项目进展。

Tā de rènwu shì jiāndū xiàngmù jìnzhǎn.

His duty is to supervise the project's progress.