调档
To transfer records
Literally: Adjust/transfer (调) file/records (档)
Use `调档` when you are officially moving your personnel records to a new school or employer.
In 15 Seconds
- Moving official personal records between institutions.
- Essential for graduation and job changes in China.
- Specifically refers to personnel files, not general documents.
Meaning
This phrase refers to the process of officially moving your personal files or records from one institution to another, like a school or a company.
Key Examples
3 of 6Graduating from university
我毕业了，学校正在帮我调档。
I've graduated, and the school is helping me transfer my records.
Starting a new government job
新单位要求我下周去调档。
The new workplace requires me to transfer my records next week.
Asking a HR representative
请问调档函发了吗？
Excuse me, has the record transfer letter been sent?
Cultural Background
The 'dàng'àn' (档案) system is a legacy of China's planned economy era. Every citizen has a physical folder containing their academic and professional history that must be managed by an authorized entity. While less critical for private-sector workers today, it remains a cornerstone of the 'iron rice bowl' and public administration.
The 'Magic Letter'
You can't just move records yourself. You need a `调档函` (Transfer Request Letter) from the receiving institution first!
Don't Open It!
If you ever handle your own physical file, never break the seal. An opened file is considered 'dead' and invalid.
In 15 Seconds
- Moving official personal records between institutions.
- Essential for graduation and job changes in China.
- Specifically refers to personnel files, not general documents.
What It Means
调档 is the administrative act of transferring your personal dossier. In China, your records follow you everywhere. Think of it as your life's 'save file' moving between servers. It includes your grades, work history, and official evaluations.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb-object phrase. You can say 调档 or 调我的档. It usually involves a 'sender' and a 'receiver'. You’ll hear it most during big life transitions. It sounds official but is used in daily conversation too.
When To Use It
Use it when you graduate and move to a job. Use it when you change companies in the public sector. It is essential when applying for a residency permit (Hukou). If you are a student, you'll hear this constantly during graduation season. It’s the 'final boss' of paperwork before you start your career.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for casual digital files. If you are just sending a PDF to a friend, use 发文件. Don't use it for moving physical furniture. It is strictly for official, paper-based (or official digital) personnel records. If you use it for a movie file, people will think you're a bureaucrat.
Cultural Background
China has a unique system called the 人事档案 (personal file). It started as a way for the state to track citizens' history. Even today, it remains vital for pensions and government jobs. It’s like a shadow that follows you. You rarely see the contents of your own file. It’s a bit mysterious and very important.
Common Variations
You might hear 调阅档案 which means to look at the records. 存档 means to store or archive them. 转档 is a synonym for transferring. If someone says 提档, they are talking about 'pulling' the file for review. It all sounds very serious because, well, it is!
Usage Notes
The phrase is very specific to administrative life in Mainland China. It is neutral in formality but carries significant weight because of the importance of the records involved.
The 'Magic Letter'
You can't just move records yourself. You need a `调档函` (Transfer Request Letter) from the receiving institution first!
Don't Open It!
If you ever handle your own physical file, never break the seal. An opened file is considered 'dead' and invalid.
The Invisible Shadow
In China, most people never actually see what's inside their `档案`. It's a secret history managed by the state.
Examples
6我毕业了，学校正在帮我调档。
I've graduated, and the school is helping me transfer my records.
Standard use during the transition from school to work.
新单位要求我下周去调档。
The new workplace requires me to transfer my records next week.
Common in formal employment contexts.
请问调档函发了吗？
Excuse me, has the record transfer letter been sent?
A '调档函' is the official letter needed to start the process.
调档太麻烦了，我跑了三趟才办好。
Transferring records is such a pain; it took me three trips to get it done.
Expressing frustration over bureaucracy.
我的人已经到了，档案还在路上调档呢。
I've arrived, but my records are still 'transferring' on the road.
Joking about the slow pace of administrative work.
万一调档过程中弄丢了怎么办？
What if the records get lost during the transfer process?
Expressing concern over a serious administrative error.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct term for transferring records to a new company.
我换了新工作，需要把档案___到新公司。
`调档` is the specific term for moving official personnel records.
Complete the sentence regarding graduation.
大学毕业后，学生们都要处理___的事情。
Graduating students must ensure their records are moved to their next destination.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of '调档'
Talking to friends about paperwork stress.
调档烦死了！
Standard office or school communication.
我要去办调档。
Official documents and HR requests.
请出示调档函。
When to use '调档'
University Graduation
Moving files to a job.
Changing Jobs
Moving files between HR depts.
Hukou Application
Moving files for residency.
Retirement Planning
Checking records for pension.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsHistorically yes, but now it includes digital systems. However, the term 调档 is still used regardless of the format.
Usually, no. Medical records are 病历. 调档 is almost exclusively for personnel and academic dossiers.
It is neutral. You can use it with a friend like 我要去调档 or in a formal email to HR.
It is the official 'Transfer Request Letter'. You need this document before any 调档 can happen.
No, that would sound very strange. Use 传文件 or 发文档 for digital office files.
Usually the HR department (人事部) or the school's administration office.
The concept exists, but the administrative terms can differ. 调阅 is common there for accessing files.
Your records might become 'stale' or lost, which can cause huge problems for your pension or future government jobs.
Only with a power of attorney. It's a very strict process because the files are private.
Actually, 换挡 is used for changing gears in a car. They share the character 档, but the meaning is different!
Related Phrases
档案 (Personnel records/dossier)
调档函 (Official record transfer letter)
人事部 (Personnel/HR department)
存档 (To archive/store records)
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