A 宴会 (yànhuì) is one of the most important social rituals in Chinese culture, serving as the primary venue for everything from personal celebrations to high-stakes business negotiations. Compared to a Western “dinner party,” a yànhuì is typically larger in scale, more formal, and follows a more rigid structure. While a Western dinner party might focus on intimate conversation in a home setting, a Chinese yànhuì is often held in a private room at a restaurant and is a public display of generosity and social status. The host's ability to provide an abundance of high-quality food is directly tied to their “face” or social standing (`面子 (miànzi)`). The round table, ubiquitous at a yànhuì, symbolizes unity and equality among the guests, though a strict seating hierarchy is always observed, with the guest of honor seated in the most prominent position. The event is less about casual chat and more about reinforcing social bonds through shared food and, crucially, a culture of toasting (`敬酒 (jìngjiǔ)`), which is used to show respect and build goodwill.
宴会 (yànhuì) is a common term used for specific, planned events. You wouldn't use it to describe a casual weeknight dinner.
The verb most often paired with 宴会 is `举办 (jǔbàn)` meaning “to hold” or “to host,” as in `举办宴会 (jǔbàn yànhuì)`. To attend one is `参加宴会 (cānjiā yànhuì)`.
A common mistake for learners is to confuse 宴会 (yànhuì) with a regular meal or a casual party.