jǔbàn: 举办 - To Hold, Host, Organize (an event)

• Keywords: 举办, juban, Chinese verb for organize, how to hold an event in Chinese, host a meeting in Chinese, organize a conference Chinese, 举办 vs 举行, juban meaning, Chinese grammar, learn Chinese verbs
• Summary: Learn how to use the essential Chinese verb 举办 (jǔbàn), which means “to hold,” “to host,” or “to organize” an event. This guide covers its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage in business, social, and official situations. Discover the crucial difference between 举办 (jǔbàn) and 举行 (jǔxíng) with clear examples to help you speak more natural Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jǔbàn
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To hold, host, or organize an event, activity, or meeting.
• In a Nutshell: 举办 (jǔbàn) is the go-to verb when you are talking about the organizer's action of putting an event together. It implies planning, arrangement, and responsibility. Think of it as the entire process, from coming up with the idea to making the event happen. It's generally used for formal or large-scale events like conferences, competitions, festivals, and weddings, not for casual hangouts.

• 举 (jǔ): This character's original meaning is “to lift” or “to raise.” Think of raising your hand to propose an idea (选举 - xuǎnjǔ, to elect) or lifting something up for all to see. In 举办, it carries the sense of initiating or “putting forth” an event.
• 办 (bàn): This character means “to do,” “to handle,” or “to manage” (办公室 - bàngōngshì, office; 办法 - bànfǎ, method). It's about the practical work and management involved in a task.
• Together, 举办 (jǔbàn) literally means “to lift up and handle.” This beautifully captures the full meaning: you initiate or propose (举) an event and then you manage all the details (办) to bring it to completion.

In Chinese culture, formal events are significant markers of social and professional life. The act of organizing an event is seen as a serious undertaking that reflects on the reputation of the organizer, whether it's a company, a government body, or a family. 举办 (jǔbàn) reflects this perspective. Using this word immediately signals a level of formality, structure, and official capacity. It implies that there is a designated organizer (主办方 - zhǔbànfāng) who is responsible for the event's success. A useful comparison in Western culture is the difference between “throwing a party” and “hosting a gala.” You might casually “throw a party” for friends, but a non-profit organization would formally “host a gala.” 举办 (jǔbàn) is almost always used in the latter sense. It emphasizes the logistical effort and the official role of the host, which is a key aspect of how structured events are perceived in China.

举办 (jǔbàn) is frequently used in formal, semi-formal, and official contexts.

• Business and Academia: It's standard for talking about organizing conferences, press releases, exhibitions, and training sessions.
  • `我们公司明年三月要举办一个国际会议。` (Our company will host an international conference next March.)
• Government and Public Events: This is the primary verb for when a city or country hosts a large-scale event.
  • `北京举办了2008年奥运会。` (Beijing hosted the 2008 Olympic Games.)
• Formal Personal Events: While not for a casual birthday dinner, it is the correct term for large, organized personal celebrations.
  • `他们计划在海边举办婚礼。` (They plan to hold their wedding at the seaside.)

The connotation is neutral to positive, and its formality level is high. You would not use it for informal, spontaneous plans.

• Example 1:
  • 学校每年都会举办一次运动会。
  • Pinyin: Xuéxiào měi nián dōu huì jǔbàn yí cì yùndònghuì.
  • English: The school holds a sports meet every year.
  • Analysis: This is a perfect example of a recurring, organized event. The school is the clear organizer, making 举办 the appropriate verb.
• Example 2:
  • 我们公司下周要举办一个产品发布会。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī xià zhōu yào jǔbàn yí ge chǎnpǐn fābùhuì.
  • English: Our company is going to hold a product launch event next week.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the company's role as the agent organizing the event.
• Example 3:
  • 这次画展是由哪个美术馆举办的？
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì huàzhǎn shì yóu nǎge měishùguǎn jǔbàn de?
  • English: Which art gallery organized this art exhibition?
  • Analysis: The structure `是…的 (shì…de)` is used here to emphasize the organizer. `由 (yóu)` introduces the agent (the art gallery).
• Example 4:
  • 他们为他们的儿子举办了一个盛大的百日宴。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen wèi tāmen de érzi jǔbàn le yí ge shèngdà de bǎirìyàn.
  • English: They held a grand 100-day celebration for their son.
  • Analysis: A `百日宴 (bǎirìyàn)` is a formal celebration, making 举办 a suitable choice, especially with the adjective `盛大 (shèngdà)`, meaning “grand.”
• Example 5:
  • 听说市政府今年要举办一场音乐节。
  • Pinyin: Tīngshuō shìzhèngfǔ jīnnián yào jǔbàn yì chǎng yīnyuèjié.
  • English: I heard the city government is going to hold a music festival this year.
  • Analysis: This is a typical public event organized by an official body.
• Example 6:
  • 由于天气原因，原定的户外活动取消举办了。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú tiānqì yuányīn, yuándìng de hùwài huódòng qǔxiāo jǔbàn le.
  • English: Due to weather reasons, the originally scheduled outdoor activity was canceled.
  • Analysis: This shows how 举办 can be used in the negative, often with a verb like `取消 (qǔxiāo)`, meaning “to cancel.”
• Example 7:
  • 想要举办一场成功的会议，需要精心的策划。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎngyào jǔbàn yì chǎng chénggōng de huìyì, xūyào jīngxīn de cèhuà.
  • English: To organize a successful conference, you need meticulous planning.
  • Analysis: This highlights that 举办 encompasses the entire process, including the planning `(策划 - cèhuà)`.
• Example 8:
  • 我的朋友邀请我去参加他们公司举办的年会。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de péngyou yāoqǐng wǒ qù cānjiā tāmen gōngsī jǔbàn de niánhuì.
  • English: My friend invited me to attend the annual party organized by their company.
  • Analysis: Here, `举办的` acts as a descriptor for `年会 (niánhuì)`, clarifying who the organizer is.
• Example 9:
  • 这个慈善晚宴举办得很成功，筹集了很多善款。
  • Pinyin: Zhège císhàn wǎnyàn jǔbàn de hěn chénggōng, chóují le hěn duō shànkuǎn.
  • English: This charity dinner was held very successfully and raised a lot of donations.
  • Analysis: The `得 (de)` construction is used to comment on the quality of the action, showing how well the event was organized.
• Example 10:
  • 明年世界杯将在哪个国家举办？
  • Pinyin: Míngnián Shìjièbēi jiàng zài nǎge guójiā jǔbàn?
  • English: Which country will host the World Cup next year?
  • Analysis: A common question format for large international events. The country is the organizer.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 举办 (jǔbàn) and 举行 (jǔxíng). They both can be translated as “to hold,” but their grammatical focus is different. Rule of Thumb:

• 举办 (jǔbàn): The subject is the organizer (person, company, city). It focuses on the *action of organizing*.
  • `我们公司 举办 晚会。` (Wǒmen gōngsī jǔbàn wǎnhuì.) → Our company organizes the party. (Correct)
• 举行 (jǔxíng): The subject is the event itself. It focuses on the event *taking place*.
  • `晚会 举行。` (Wǎnhuì jǔxíng.) → The party is held. (Correct)

Common Mistake: Mixing up the subjects.

• Incorrect: `晚会 举办 在酒店。` (The party organizes at the hotel.)
• Why it's wrong: A party cannot organize itself. The party is the object of the organization, not the subject.
• Correct: `我们在酒店 举办 晚会。` (We are holding the party at the hotel.)
• Correct: `晚会在酒店 举行。` (The party is being held at the hotel.)

Mistake 2: Using 举办 for casual events.

• Unnatural: `我周末要在家举办一个小型烧烤。` (I'm going to “formally organize” a small barbecue at home this weekend.)
• Why it's unnatural: 举办 is too formal. It sounds like you're planning a corporate event.
• More Natural: `我周末要在家搞一个烧烤。` (Wǒ zhōumò yào zài jiā gǎo yí ge shāokǎo.) or `我周末要在家办一个烧烤派对。` (Wǒ zhōumò yào zài jiā bàn yí ge shāokǎo pàiduì.)

• 举行 (jǔxíng) - The direct counterpart to 举办. Describes an event “being held,” where the event is the subject of the sentence.
• 组织 (zǔzhī) - Can be a verb (“to organize”) or a noun (“organization”). As a verb, it's broader than 举办 and can refer to organizing people or resources, not just a one-time event.
• 主办 (zhǔbàn) - To be the main host or primary organizer. It's more specific than 举办. `主办方 (zhǔbànfāng)` means “the organizer/host.”
• 承办 (chéngbàn) - To undertake the organization of an event, often on behalf of another entity (like an event planning company).
• 协办 (xiébàn) - To co-organize or assist in hosting. `协办方 (xiébànfāng)` is the “co-organizer.”
• 活动 (huódòng) - Activity, event. A very common noun used as the object of 举办.
• 会议 (huìyì) - Meeting, conference. A formal event that is often `举办`.
• 晚会 (wǎnhuì) - An evening party, gala, or soirée.
• 展览 (zhǎnlǎn) - An exhibition or show.
• 仪式 (yíshì) - A ceremony (e.g., graduation ceremony, opening ceremony).