jíhuì: 集会 - Gathering, Assembly, Rally

• Keywords: 集会, jihui, Chinese for rally, Chinese for assembly, political assembly in China, 集会的意思, what does jihui mean, freedom of assembly China, public gathering Chinese, jihui vs juhui, protest in Chinese
• Summary: Learn the Chinese word 集会 (jíhuì), which means “assembly,” “rally,” or “gathering.” While it can refer to any organized gathering, it often carries a formal, political, or social weight, such as a protest, a public demonstration, or a formal school assembly. This page breaks down its cultural significance, legal context in China, and how it differs from casual get-togethers, providing practical examples for everyday understanding.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jíhuì
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A gathering or assembly of people, often for a specific, organized purpose such as a protest, rally, or formal meeting.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 集会 (jíhuì) as a step up in formality and scale from a simple party. It's not a casual hangout with friends. Instead, it describes an organized event where people come together in a public or designated space for a shared purpose. This purpose is often political, social, or civic, like a protest, a memorial, or a school-wide assembly. The word carries a sense of officialdom and public presence.

• 集 (jí): This character is composed of a bird (隹) on top of a tree (木). The image evokes multiple birds gathering on a single tree. Therefore, its core meaning is “to gather,” “to collect,” or “a collection.”
• 会 (huì): This character can mean “to meet,” “to assemble,” “a meeting,” or “an association.” It implies people coming together intentionally.

When combined, 集会 (jíhuì) literally means “to gather and meet.” The two characters reinforce each other to create a strong, specific term for an organized assembly of people, distinguishing it from a chance encounter or a casual get-together.

In many Western cultures, the concept of “assembly” or “rally” is strongly tied to the fundamental right of free speech and protest, often seen as a cornerstone of civic engagement. While the Constitution of the People's Republic of China also guarantees “freedom of assembly,” the practical application and cultural understanding of 集会 (jíhuì) are quite different. In China, there is a profound cultural and political emphasis on social stability and harmony (和谐, héxié). A 集会 (jíhuì), especially one that is political in nature, is viewed through the lens of maintaining public order. Unauthorized public assemblies are strictly controlled and can be deemed illegal, carrying serious consequences. Therefore, unlike the often spontaneous nature of protests in the West, a 集会 (jíhuì) in China is a highly sensitive event. The term is most frequently encountered in formal or official contexts, such as in news reports about protests (either abroad or historical ones), legal discussions about the right to assemble, or for state-sanctioned events. For the average person, participating in a non-sanctioned 集会 (jíhuì) is not a casual decision. This makes the term carry a much heavier weight than the English word “gathering.”

You will most often hear or read 集会 (jíhuì) in formal settings.

• News and Legal Context: This is its most common usage. News reports use it to describe protests, political rallies, and demonstrations. Legal documents and discussions refer to `集会自由` (jíhuì zìyóu - freedom of assembly).
• Formal/Official Gatherings: A school principal might announce a `全校集会` (quán xiào jíhuì - an all-school assembly). This is a planned, mandatory, and official event.
• Verb Usage: It can be used as a verb meaning “to assemble.” For example, `民众集会抗议` (mínzhòng jíhuì kàngyì - the masses assemble to protest).

Its connotation depends entirely on the context. A school 集会 is neutral. A `和平集会` (hépíng jíhuì - peaceful rally) is often viewed positively by its participants. An `非法集会` (fēifǎ jíhuì - illegal assembly) has a very strong negative and serious connotation from an official standpoint.

Example 1:

• 他们在广场上举行了和平集会。
• Pinyin: Tāmen zài guǎngchǎng shàng jǔxíng le hépíng jíhuì.
• English: They held a peaceful assembly in the public square.
• Analysis: This is a classic, neutral description you might find in a news report. `举行` (jǔxíng - to hold an event) is a common verb used with 集会.

Example 2:

• 法律保护公民的集会自由，但必须在法律允许的范围内进行。
• Pinyin: Fǎlǜ bǎohù gōngmín de jíhuì zìyóu, dàn bìxū zài fǎlǜ yǔnxǔ de fànwéi nèi jìnxíng.
• English: The law protects citizens' freedom of assembly, but it must be carried out within the scope permitted by law.
• Analysis: This sentence highlights the legal and conditional nature of 集会 in China. It's a formal and official statement.

Example 3:

• 明天早上八点，全校学生在操场集会。
• Pinyin: Míngtiān zǎoshang bā diǎn, quán xiào xuéshēng zài cāochǎng jíhuì.
• English: At 8 AM tomorrow morning, all students will assemble on the playground.
• Analysis: Here, 集会 is used for a non-political, official school assembly. This is a common, neutral usage in an institutional setting.

Example 4:

• 警方宣布这次集会为非法活动，并要求人群解散。
• Pinyin: Jǐngfāng xuānbù zhè cì jíhuì wéi fēifǎ huódòng, bìng yāoqiú rénqún jiěsàn.
• English: The police declared this assembly an illegal activity and demanded the crowd disperse.
• Analysis: This shows the serious, negative connotation of an unauthorized 集会. `非法` (fēifǎ - illegal) is a word often paired with it.

Example 5:

• 成千上万的民众集会抗议政府的新政策。
• Pinyin: Chéng qiān shàng wàn de mínzhòng jíhuì kàngyì zhèngfǔ de xīn zhèngcè.
• English: Tens of thousands of people assembled to protest the government's new policy.
• Analysis: This sentence uses 集会 as a verb and emphasizes the large scale of the event. It's typical phrasing for news about protests.

Example 6:

• 他们正在向有关部门申请集会许可。
• Pinyin: Tāmen zhèngzài xiàng yǒuguān bùmén shēnqǐng jíhuì xǔkě.
• English: They are applying to the relevant authorities for an assembly permit.
• Analysis: This sentence underscores the procedural and bureaucratic nature of holding a legal 集会 in China.

Example 7:

• 这是一个宗教集会，不是政治活动。
• Pinyin: Zhè shì yí ge zōngjiào jíhuì, búshì zhèngzhì huódòng.
• English: This is a religious gathering, not a political activity.
• Analysis: This example shows how 集会 can be used for non-political but still organized and formal events, like a large religious service.

Example 8:

• 那次集会的目的是为了引起公众对环保问题的关注。
• Pinyin: Nà cì jíhuì de mùdì shì wèile yǐnqǐ gōngzhòng duì huánbǎo wèntí de guānzhù.
• English: The purpose of that rally was to draw public attention to environmental issues.
• Analysis: This highlights that a 集会 is purpose-driven. It's not a random gathering.

Example 9:

• 组织未经批准的集会是违法的。
• Pinyin: Zǔzhī wèi jīng pīzhǔn de jíhuì shì wéifǎ de.
• English: Organizing an unapproved assembly is against the law.
• Analysis: A clear, direct sentence emphasizing the legal consequences. `组织` (zǔzhī - to organize) is another key verb used with 集会.

Example 10:

• 我们不应该把朋友间的聚会和集会混淆。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen bù yīnggāi bǎ péngyǒu jiān de jùhuì hé jíhuì hùnxiáo.
• English: We shouldn't confuse a get-together between friends with a formal assembly.
• Analysis: This sentence directly addresses the common point of confusion for learners, which is the difference between `聚会` (jùhuì) and `集会` (jíhuì).

The most common mistake for learners is to confuse 集会 (jíhuì) with 聚会 (jùhuì). They sound similar and both involve “gathering,” but their usage is completely different.

• 集会 (jíhuì): A formal, public, often large-scale assembly or rally with a specific civic, political, or social purpose. It's impersonal and organized.
  • Example: `抗议集会` (kàngyì jíhuì - a protest rally)
• 聚会 (jùhuì): A casual, social “get-together” or “party” with friends, family, or colleagues. It's personal and relaxed.
  • Example: `朋友聚会` (péngyǒu jùhuì - a get-together with friends)

Incorrect Usage:

• `我周末要和朋友们开一个集会。` (Wǒ zhōumò yào hé péngyǒumen kāi yí ge jíhuì.)
• Why it's wrong: This sentence means “I'm going to hold a formal rally with my friends this weekend.” Unless your friends are planning a political protest, this sounds very strange and alarming.
• Correct Usage: `我周末要和朋友们开一个聚会。` (Wǒ zhōumò yào hé péngyǒumen kāi yí ge jùhuì.) - “I'm having a party/get-together with my friends this weekend.”

Think of it this way: You invite people to a `聚会 (jùhuì)`. You announce a `集会 (jíhuì)`.

• 聚会 (jùhuì) - A party, a social get-together. The informal, social counterpart to 集会.
• 游行 (yóuxíng) - A parade, march, or demonstration. Often, a 集会 is stationary, while a 游行 involves moving from one point to another. They frequently occur together.
• 抗议 (kàngyì) - To protest; a protest. This is the *reason* for many political 集会.
• 示威 (shìwēi) - A demonstration (of power/opinion); to demonstrate. A strong synonym for a protest-style 集会 or 游行.
• 集合 (jíhé) - To assemble, to gather. This is more of a direct command or physical action, like a drill sergeant yelling “Fall in!” or a tour guide saying “Let's gather here.” It lacks the social or political purpose of 集会.
• 会议 (huìyì) - A meeting or conference. More formal than a `聚会` but usually refers to a business, government, or academic meeting in a room, not a public rally.
• 广场 (guǎngchǎng) - Public square. A very common location for a 集会, e.g., `天安门广场` (Tiān'ānmén Guǎngchǎng).
• 自由 (zìyóu) - Freedom, liberty. Used in the key phrase `集会自由` (jíhuì zìyóu - freedom of assembly).
• 政府 (zhèngfǔ) - Government. The body that often sanctions, regulates, or is the target of a 集会.