qualified; up to standard
HSK level
合格 is written with 16 strokes (合: 6, 格: 10). The animation replays automatically.
合格 (hégé) is an adjective meaning 'qualified,' 'up to standard,' or 'passing (an inspection or requirement).'
It describes something or someone that meets a defined threshold — a product that passes quality control, a student who passes an exam, a candidate who is eligible, water that meets safety standards. Unlike the English 'qualified,' which often implies skill or credentials (a qualified doctor), 合格 is fundamentally about meeting a minimum bar rather than being highly capable — a 合格 employee is adequate, not excellent.
It functions as a stative adjective and pairs naturally with 不 (不合格 = 'substandard, fails inspection'). It is a threshold word: things are either 合格 or 不合格, with little in between.
Note: Common in both everyday and official contexts — product quality, exams, job candidates, inspections. Slightly institutional in tone; you would not say it as praise for a person's character.
Character by character
Memory hook: 合 (fit) + 格 (standard) = 'fits the standard' = qualified.
这个产品质量合格。
Zhège chǎnpǐn zhìliàng hégé.
This product's quality meets the standard.
neutral
他的考试成绩不合格。
Tā de kǎoshì chéngjì bù hégé.
His exam results didn't pass.
neutral
只有合格的司机才能上路。
Zhǐyǒu hégé de sījī cáinéng shànglù.
Only qualified drivers may go on the road.
written
这批菜检查以后都合格了。
Zhè pī cài jiǎnchá yǐhòu dōu hégé le.
This batch of vegetables all passed after inspection.
spoken
达标 ('reaches the target') stresses hitting a specific numeric or measurable target. 合格 is broader and covers passing any standard, not just a quantified one.
及格 means specifically 'to pass' an exam or test (usually 60/100). 合格 is more general — used for products, inspections, and people, not just test scores.
及格 is only about passing a test or exam score. 合格 covers a wider range — products, candidates, safety standards. Both share 格, which causes mix-ups.
资格 is a noun meaning 'qualification' or 'eligibility' (你有资格 = you are eligible). 合格 is an adjective meaning 'meets the standard.'
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