採用

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 採用 is a noun and irregular transitive verb read さいよう. It means either adopting a proposal or method or hiring a person.
• Basic usage: The sense depends on the target: use 案が採用される for a proposal being adopted and 新人を採用する for hiring a new employee.
  • 会議で私の案が採用された。 says that the speaker's proposal was adopted at a meeting; 会社は経験より意欲を重視して新人を採用する。 says that the company hires newcomers with greater emphasis on motivation than experience.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 案が採用される
  • In the passive construction, が marks the proposal selected, and the selecting party may be omitted.
• 新人を採用する
  • In the active construction, the company is the agent and を marks the person hired.
• The two senses of 採用
  • A proposal or method points to adoption, while a person points to hiring, so the surrounding noun determines the sense.