'职务' (zhíwù) literally combines '职' (zhí), meaning 'duty' or 'post', and '务' (wù), meaning 'task' or 'affair'. Together, they denote an official position or formal role within an organization—especially one with defined responsibilities, authority, and often a title. It emphasizes the functional and institutional aspect of a job, not just the daily work ('工作') or profession ('职业').

This term is commonly used in formal, administrative, or organizational contexts: government offices, companies, schools, or party structures. You’ll see it on ID cards, appointment letters, or personnel files. It carries connotations of hierarchy and official designation—e.g., '校长职务' (the post of principal) implies formal appointment to that leadership role, not merely performing headmaster duties informally.