cānzhǎn: 参展 - To Participate in an Exhibition, To Exhibit

• Keywords: cānzhǎn, 参展, participate in an exhibition Chinese, exhibit in Chinese, trade show Chinese, what does canzhan mean, cānzhǎn meaning, Chinese for exhibitor, business Chinese, Canton Fair, trade fair.
• Summary: Learn how to use the essential Chinese business term 参展 (cānzhǎn), which means “to participate in an exhibition” or “to exhibit.” This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance in China's massive trade show economy, and provides practical examples for companies, artists, and professionals. Understand the critical difference between being an exhibitor (参展) and a visitor (参观).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): cānzhǎn
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To take part in an exhibition as an exhibitor.
• In a Nutshell: 参展 (cānzhǎn) is a specific and formal verb used when a company, organization, or artist sets up a booth or display to showcase their products or work at a larger event like a trade fair, an art expo, or a convention. It's the action of being an exhibitor, not just attending.

• 参 (cān): This character's core meaning here is “to participate” or “to join in.” Think of it as taking part in a formal activity.
• 展 (zhǎn): This character means “to exhibit,” “to display,” or “to unfold.” It's the root character in words related to exhibitions like 展览 (zhǎnlǎn).
• Together, 参 (cān) + 展 (zhǎn) literally and directly translates to “participate in an exhibition.” The meaning is transparent and logical, combining the action with the event.

In modern China, trade fairs and expositions are monumental events that drive a significant portion of the economy. Events like the Canton Fair (广交会 Guǎngjiāohuì) in Guangzhou or the China International Import Expo (进博会 Jìnbóhuì) in Shanghai are massive platforms for domestic and international business. Therefore, 参展 (cānzhǎn) is more than just a verb; it signifies a strategic business decision. For a Chinese company, to 参展 at a major expo is a declaration of ambition, a way to showcase strength, build 关系 (guānxi), and secure deals. It's an active, goal-oriented process. This contrasts slightly with the Western concept of “going to a convention,” which can sometimes imply a more passive or casual attendance. While the business goals are similar, the term 参展 (cānzhǎn) in a Chinese context is almost exclusively used for the official exhibitors. It carries a professional weight and implies significant investment in time, money, and resources to represent one's brand on a competitive stage. A casual visitor would never use this word to describe their attendance.

参展 (cānzhǎn) is a staple of business and professional vocabulary. It's used in meetings, official documents, marketing materials, and news reports related to trade and cultural events.

• Business Context: This is the most common use. Companies 参展 to launch new products, meet potential distributors, and network with industry peers. You will frequently hear it in phrases like `参展商 (cānzhǎnshāng)` (exhibitor) and `参展费用 (cānzhǎn fèiyòng)` (exhibition fee).
• Art and Culture: Artists, galleries, and cultural institutions also 参展 at art fairs (艺术博览会 yìshù bólǎnhuì) or book fairs (书展 shūzhǎn) to display and sell their work.
• Formality: It is a formal term. In casual conversation, someone might simply say `我们今年在上海有个展位 (wǒmen jīnnián zài Shànghǎi yǒu ge zhǎnwèi)`, meaning “We have a booth in Shanghai this year,” but in any professional setting, 参展 is the correct and expected verb.

• Example 1:
  • 我们公司决定参展今年的广交会。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī juédìng cānzhǎn jīnnián de Guǎngjiāohuì.
  • English: Our company has decided to exhibit at this year's Canton Fair.
  • Analysis: A very standard and common sentence used in a business context.
• Example 2:
  • 这次参展的目的是为了开拓海外市场。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì cānzhǎn de mùdì shì wèile kāituò hǎiwài shìchǎng.
  • English: The purpose of participating in this exhibition is to develop overseas markets.
  • Analysis: Here, 参展 is used as part of a noun phrase “这次参展” (this time's exhibiting) to discuss the goals of the action.
• Example 3:
  • 你们是第一次参展吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐmen shì dì-yī cì cānzhǎn ma?
  • English: Is this the first time you are exhibiting?
  • Analysis: A common question you might ask someone at their booth to start a conversation.
• Example 4:
  • 所有参展商都需要提前注册。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu cānzhǎnshāng dōu xūyào tíqián zhùcè.
  • English: All exhibitors need to register in advance.
  • Analysis: This shows how 参展 is used to form a key noun, `参展商 (cānzhǎnshāng)`, meaning “exhibitor.”
• Example 5:
  • 参展的费用相当高，但我们觉得很值得。
  • Pinyin: Cānzhǎn de fèiyòng xiāngdāng gāo, dàn wǒmen juéde hěn zhídé.
  • English: The cost of exhibiting is quite high, but we feel it's very worthwhile.
  • Analysis: This example introduces another common compound, `参展费用 (cānzhǎn fèiyòng)`, the “exhibiting fee.”
• Example 6:
  • 我们正在准备参展产品和宣传材料。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zhèngzài zhǔnbèi cānzhǎn chǎnpǐn hé xuānchuán cáiliào.
  • English: We are preparing the products for the exhibition and the promotional materials.
  • Analysis: 参展 can act as an adjective here to describe the products: `参展产品 (cānzhǎn chǎnpǐn)` are the “exhibited products.”
• Example 7:
  • 很多欧洲的小公司也来中国参展。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō Ōuzhōu de xiǎo gōngsī yě lái Zhōngguó cānzhǎn.
  • English: Many small European companies also come to China to exhibit.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the international nature of exhibitions in China.
• Example 8:
  • 如果你想参展，必须提前六个月申请展位。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ xiǎng cānzhǎn, bìxū tíqián liù ge yuè shēnqǐng zhǎnwèi.
  • English: If you want to exhibit, you must apply for a booth six months in advance.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides a practical, real-world context for the process of exhibiting.
• Example 9:
  • 他是一位年轻的艺术家，经常参展国内外的艺术博览会。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yī wèi niánqīng de yìshùjiā, jīngcháng cānzhǎn guónèiwài de yìshù bólǎnhuì.
  • English: He is a young artist who often exhibits at art fairs both domestically and internationally.
  • Analysis: Shows the usage of 参展 outside of a purely corporate/trade context.
• Example 10:
  • 由于疫情，去年的展会我们没能参展。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú yìqíng, qùnián de zhǎnhuì wǒmen méi néng cānzhǎn.
  • English: Due to the pandemic, we were unable to exhibit at last year's trade show.
  • Analysis: A negative sentence using `没能 (méi néng)` to mean “were not able to.”

The biggest mistake for English speakers is confusing the roles of an exhibitor and a visitor.

• 参展 (cānzhǎn) vs. 参观 (cānguān): This is the most critical distinction.
  • 参展 (cānzhǎn): To exhibit (You have a booth. You are showing things).
  • 参观 (cānguān): To visit, to look around (You are a guest, an attendee, walking through the aisles).
• Incorrect: 我明天要去参展上海车展。 (Wǒ míngtiān yào qù cānzhǎn Shànghǎi chēzhǎn.)
  • Why it's wrong: This sentence means “I am going to exhibit at the Shanghai Auto Show tomorrow.” Unless you are a car company representative working at a booth, this is incorrect.
  • Correct (as a visitor): 我明天要去参观上海车展。 (Wǒ míngtiān yào qù cānguān Shànghǎi chēzhǎn.) or more colloquially 我明天要去看上海车展。(Wǒ míngtiān yào qù kàn Shànghǎi chēzhǎn.)
• 参展 (cānzhǎn) vs. 参加 (cānjia):
  • 参加 (cānjia) is a general verb for “to participate” or “to join” (e.g.,参加会议 - attend a meeting; 参加派对 - go to a party).
  • You could technically say `参加一个展览会 (cānjia yī ge zhǎnlǎnhuì)`, but it's ambiguous. It doesn't clarify if you are an exhibitor or a visitor. 参展 is precise and professional, leaving no doubt about your role as an exhibitor.

• 展览会 (zhǎnlǎnhuì) - A trade fair or exhibition. The event where one goes to `参展`.
• 参展商 (cānzhǎnshāng) - The exhibitor; the company or person who is participating in the exhibition.
• 参观 (cānguān) - To visit, to look around. This is the action of a visitor or attendee, the counterpart to `参展`.
• 展位 (zhǎnwèi) - An exhibition booth or stand. This is the physical space that a `参展商` rents.
• 展品 (zhǎnpǐn) - The items on display; the exhibits.
• 博览会 (bólǎnhuì) - An exposition or international fair, often larger and more comprehensive than a `展览会`.
• 参加 (cānjia) - To participate; a general term. `参展` is a very specific type of `参加`.
• 主办方 (zhǔbànfāng) - The organizer (of the event). The entity you register with to `参展`.