Newspaper language: Consumer loans

[Scoobyqueen]

I previously suggested starting a thread on the language used by newspapers.

[Meng Lelan]

申请 – is this a formal word only? I have seen it used for applying for WTO membership for example but can it also be used for applying for membership in a business club, sports club etc.

It's not just for formal writing, if I told you that I am applying to the university I could use 申请.

[leeyah]

启动 this word is usually used as here to refer to something being triggered off, being initiated. I think this is used for a new initiative, is that right?

Right. 启动 = 开始行动 >>开始工作 switch on, set (a machine) in motion, also figuratively 'launch' a new idea, program, or 发动 open up new..., stimulate>> ...市场，...消费要求 (consumer demands)

审批 – I dont understand the differences between the various words for approval: 批准，认可，赞成，which is the most formal version?

审批 = 审查批示 very formal >> submit to higher authorities for examination & approval = 报请上级审批 >>审批手续 the examination/approval procedure

vs 批准 & 认可, both much less formal and narrower in meaning, basically just be approved/granted something：

批准 >>上级对下级的意见，建议表示同意 ratify, endorse:

...批准休假一个月 grant sb a request for one-month leave

认可 >>承认，肯定，许可 (informal)

...被双方认可 both parties approved of

...作为一项成功的交通政策，近年来已为国内外许多城市认可和采纳。

I see 赞成 as a formal version of 同意, also a bit stronger than plain 同意

促进 used in this sentence:以期促进消费、拉动内需. Chinese has a number of words for „promote“. As far as I recall促进 is more formal and is used for items promoted at government level. Would you be able to use the words推进 or 鼓励 (probably less formal) or 扶植(very formal) here also?

For nuance in meaning make sure you always look up the meaning of the characters which make up a word/phrase, eg.in words like 促进 vs 推进，鼓励, 拉动, compare the basic meanings of eg.促(催) vs 推 (向外用力使xx顺着用力的方向移动) >> 促 is 'stronger' in terms of time-pressure vs just general pressure, not at all like 拉动 which implies activate, put in motion, take measures to develop & 鼓励 is more like hearten, inspire, also stimulate, while 扶植 is foster, cultivate = 扶助培植.

The finesse is clearly marked between all these, especially when you see them in different contexts.

机构 – Is this the most general word for organizations if you want to use a word that includes organizations (societies, institutes, organ etc). I have mostly used 协会but think it may be too specific.

协会 is 社团, association (of people in a specific field of work)>> 作家协会

机构 is 机关，团体 organization in the sense of structure composed of different hierarchically arranged parts (like in a machine), also: unit, department, institution, or even mission as in >> 外交机构

[Scoobyqueen]

For nuance in meaning make sure you always look up the meaning of the characters which make up a word/phrase

Thanks for this tip. Also thank you for all your other explanations. They really help me understand the nuances.

Thanks also to Meng Lelan.

[Meng Lelan]

Thanks to you for starting up this Newspaper thing, we all need something like this.