'聘请' is a formal verb meaning 'to engage' or 'to hire', typically used when an organization or individual officially invites someone—often with expertise, authority, or prestige—to take on a role such as advisor, lecturer, consultant, or executive. The first character 聘 (pìn) originally meant 'to send a marriage proposal' and carries connotations of respectful invitation and mutual agreement; the second character 请 (qǐng) means 'to invite' or 'to request'. Together, they emphasize formality, intentionality, and esteem—not just employment but a dignified appointment.

This term appears frequently in official announcements, corporate communications, academic contexts, and government documents. It implies a level of seniority or specialization: you might 聘请 a professor to give a keynote, or 聘请 a legal expert as company counsel. Unlike common hiring verbs like 招聘 (zhāopìn) or 雇佣 (gùyōng), 聘请 focuses on the act of inviting and appointing rather than general recruitment or labor contracting.