承办

chéngbàn: 承办 - To Undertake, Handle, Organize, Host

Quick Summary

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  • Summary: Learn the meaning and use of the formal Chinese verb 承办 (chéngbàn), which means to undertake, handle, or organize a significant task, event, or case. This page breaks down its characters, cultural context, and practical usage in business and official settings, and clarifies its distinction from similar words like 举办 (jǔbàn) and 负责 (fùzé).

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): chéngbàn
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • HSK Level: 5
  • Concise Definition: To formally undertake and carry out a task, event, or official matter as an assigned responsibility.
  • In a Nutshell: 承办 (chéngbàn) is not just “to do” something. It implies formally accepting the responsibility to manage and execute a large-scale or official undertaking from start to finish. Think of a specific company being contracted to organize a city's marathon, or a law firm taking on a major case. It signifies a formal mandate and accountability.

Character Breakdown

  • 承 (chéng): This character means “to bear,” “to receive,” or “to undertake.” Picture someone holding up their hands to receive a heavy object from above; they are accepting its weight and responsibility.
  • 办 (bàn): This character means “to do,” “to handle,” or “to manage.” It is a core component of words related to work and administration, like 办公室 (bàngōngshì - office) and 办法 (bànfǎ - method).
  • Together, 承办 (chéngbàn) literally translates to “receive and handle.” This combination perfectly captures the idea of being formally entrusted with a task and then seeing it through to completion.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • 承办 (chéngbàn) reflects the importance of clear roles, delegation, and accountability within Chinese organizational structures, be it in government or large corporations. When a unit is designated to 承办 a project, their responsibility is formally and publicly defined. This eliminates ambiguity and establishes a clear chain of command.
  • Comparison with Western Concepts: While you might use “to organize,” “to run,” or “to be contracted for” in English, 承办 (chéngbàn) carries a more official weight. For example, if a city “hosts” (举办 jǔbàn) the Olympics, a specific, separate Olympic Organizing Committee is established to 承办 (chéngbàn) the event. The first term is about overall ownership, while 承办 (chéngbàn) is about the authorized, hands-on execution. This distinction between the “host” and the “organizer/handler” is more explicitly defined in Chinese through these different terms.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Formality: 承办 (chéngbàn) is a formal term. You will encounter it frequently in news reports, legal documents, business contracts, and official announcements. It is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation.
  • Common Contexts:
    • Events and Conferences: Used to describe the organization that is actually running the logistics of a conference, exhibition, or large-scale performance.
    • Legal and Official Matters: A specific court, judge, or lawyer will 承办 a case, meaning they are assigned to handle it.
    • Government and Business Projects: A department or a partner company is assigned to 承办 a specific project, making them responsible for its execution.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 这次国际会议由我们公司承办。
    • Pinyin: Zhè cì guójì huìyì yóu wǒmen gōngsī chéngbàn.
    • English: Our company is undertaking the organization of this international conference.
    • Analysis: This is a classic business context. It states that the company has been given the official responsibility to manage the conference.
  • Example 2:
    • 这个案件由王法官承办。
    • Pinyin: Zhège ànjiàn yóu Wáng fǎguān chéngbàn.
    • English: This legal case is being handled by Judge Wang.
    • Analysis: Here, 承办 means “to be the presiding official” or “to handle” in a formal, legal sense. Judge Wang is officially assigned to the case.
  • Example 3:
    • 2022年冬奥会由北京和张家口联合承办。
    • Pinyin: Èr líng èr'èr nián Dōng'àohuì yóu Běijīng hé Zhāngjiākǒu liánhé chéngbàn.
    • English: The 2022 Winter Olympics were jointly hosted/organized by Beijing and Zhangjiakou.
    • Analysis: While we might just say “hosted” in English, 承办 here emphasizes the massive organizational and executional responsibility the two cities undertook.
  • Example 4:
    • 欢迎联系我们的承办单位了解活动详情。
    • Pinyin: Huānyíng liánxì wǒmen de chéngbàn dānwèi liǎojiě huódòng xiángqíng.
    • English: Please contact our organizing unit for details about the event.
    • Analysis: 承办单位 (chéngbàn dānwèi) is a very common set phrase meaning “the organizing unit” or “the implementing organization.”
  • Example 5:
    • 我们正在寻找一家有经验的公司来承办我们的年度晚会。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen zhèngzài xúnzhǎo yījiā yǒu jīngyàn de gōngsī lái chéngbàn wǒmen de niándù wǎnhuì.
    • English: We are looking for an experienced company to organize our annual gala.
    • Analysis: This shows the usage when seeking a third party to take on the responsibility of an event.
  • Example 6:
    • 学校决定承办这次全市的机器人大赛。
    • Pinyin: Xuéxiào juédìng chéngbàn zhè cì quán shì de jīqìrén dàsài.
    • English: The school decided to undertake the city-wide robotics competition.
    • Analysis: This implies the school is taking on the full responsibility for organizing and running the event for the whole city.
  • Example 7:
    • 他是这个项目的具体承办人。
    • Pinyin: Tā shì zhège xiàngmù de jùtǐ chéngbànrén.
    • English: He is the specific person in charge of handling this project.
    • Analysis: Like `承办单位`, 承办人 (chéngbànrén) is a common term for the “person in charge” or “handler.”
  • Example 8:
    • 该展览会由中国贸易促进会承办。
    • Pinyin: Gāi zhǎnlǎnhuì yóu Zhōngguó Màoyì Cùjìnhuì chéngbàn.
    • English: This exhibition is organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
    • Analysis: This is typical language you would see on a banner or in a brochure for a large trade show.
  • Example 9:
    • 合同规定，所有后勤工作都由乙方承办。
    • Pinyin: Hétong guīdìng, suǒyǒu hòuqín gōngzuò dōu yóu Yǐfāng chéngbàn.
    • English: The contract stipulates that all logistical work will be handled by Party B.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates its use in legal and contractual language, clearly assigning responsibility.
  • Example 10:
    • 成功承办一次大型活动需要精心的策划和准备。
    • Pinyin: Chénggōng chéngbàn yīcì dàxíng huódòng xūyào jīngxīn de cèhuà hé zhǔnbèi.
    • English: Successfully undertaking a large-scale event requires meticulous planning and preparation.
    • Analysis: Here, 承办 is used more generally to describe the act of organizing such an event.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • `承办 (chéngbàn)` vs. `举办 (jǔbàn)`: This is the most critical distinction.
    • 举办 (jǔbàn): To host, to hold. This refers to the primary entity whose event it is. The Chinese government decided to 举办 the World Expo.
    • 承办 (chéngbàn): To undertake the organization of. This refers to the specific body tasked with the execution. A special committee was formed to 承办 the World Expo.
    • In short: The `举办` entity is the “owner” of the event; the `承办` entity is the “manager” or “implementer.”
  • `承办 (chéngbàn)` vs. `负责 (fùzé)`:
    • 负责 (fùzé): To be responsible for. This is a very general term. You can be `负责` for a small part of a project (e.g., “I'm responsible for booking the hotel.”).
    • 承办 (chéngbàn): Implies responsibility for the entire undertaking. The organization that `承办`s the conference is `负责` for everything from booking hotels to marketing. `承办` implies a much larger scope of responsibility.
  • Mistake: Using it for casual tasks.
    • Incorrect: 我来承办今天的晚饭。(Wǒ lái chéngbàn jīntiān de wǎnfàn.)
    • Why it's wrong: This sounds overly formal and strange, like you're undertaking a state banquet.
    • Correct: 我来做今天的晚饭。(Wǒ lái zuò jīntiān de wǎnfàn.) or 我负责今天的晚饭。(Wǒ fùzé jīntiān de wǎnfàn.)

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 举办 (jǔbàn) - To hold or host an event. Often the primary entity, while the `承办` entity does the work.
  • 主办 (zhǔbàn) - To host or to sponsor. Very similar to `举办`, emphasizing the main organizing body or sponsor.
  • 协办 (xiébàn) - To co-organize or assist in organizing. This is the “co-host” or supporting partner.
  • 负责 (fùzé) - To be responsible for. A broader, more general term for accountability.
  • 办理 (bànlǐ) - To handle or process, typically used for procedures, applications, or paperwork (e.g.,办理签证 - handle a visa application).
  • 处理 (chǔlǐ) - To handle or deal with, often a problem, issue, or data that needs processing.
  • 承包 (chéngbāo) - To contract for a project. This term has a stronger commercial and financial implication, like a construction company contracting to build a bridge.
  • 组织 (zǔzhī) - To organize (as a verb), or an organization (as a noun). More general than `承办`.