兼任 jiānrèn to hold a concurrent post
to hold a concurrent post; part-time; (in academia) adjunct
How to remember 兼任: 兼 both + 任 to trust = to hold a concurrent post.
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How it is used
- 'To hold a concurrent post' - to do a second job/role alongside one's main one: 他兼任系主任 (tā jiānrèn xì zhǔrèn) he also serves as department head.
- Also 'part-time / adjunct': 兼任教授 an adjunct professor. The 兼 (jiān, 'both/simultaneously') signals doubling up on positions. Opposite: 专任 (zhuānrèn, full-time/dedicated) - 专任教师 (zhuānrèn jiàoshī) a full-time teacher.