to hold; to host (an event)
HSK level
举办 is written with 13 strokes (举: 9, 办: 4). The animation replays automatically.
举办 (jǔbàn) is a transitive verb meaning 'to hold, host, or organize' an event — a ceremony, competition, exhibition, wedding, conference, or festival.
It is neutral-to-formal and is the standard word in news and official announcements: 举办奥运会 ('host the Olympics'), 举办婚礼 ('hold a wedding'). The crucial point for English speakers is that 举办 always takes an organized event as its object; you cannot 举办 a physical object or an abstract idea. Where English 'hold' is highly flexible ('hold a cup,' 'hold a belief'), 举办 is narrow — it means to put on and run a planned occasion.
In casual conversation the shorter 办 (bàn) often replaces it. To 'attend' rather than host such an event, you use 参加 (cānjiā) instead.
Note: Slightly formal; the default verb for organizing public or official events. In casual speech people may just say 办.
Character by character
Memory hook: 举 (raise up) + 办 (handle) → to raise up and run an event → to host it.
学校下周举办运动会。
Xuéxiào xià zhōu jǔbàn yùndònghuì.
The school is holding a sports meet next week.
neutral
他们打算在花园里举办婚礼。
Tāmen dǎsuàn zài huāyuán lǐ jǔbàn hūnlǐ.
They plan to hold the wedding in the garden.
spoken
这座城市成功举办了国际会议。
Zhè zuò chéngshì chénggōng jǔbàn le guójì huìyì.
This city successfully hosted an international conference.
written
公司每年都举办一次晚会。
Gōngsī měinián dōu jǔbàn yí cì wǎnhuì.
The company holds a party once every year.
neutral
举行 also means 'to hold (an event)' but emphasizes the event taking place, often used for the ceremony/proceeding itself (会议举行). 举办 emphasizes the organizing/hosting role of the sponsor. A city 举办 the games; the opening ceremony 举行 at 8pm.
办 is the casual, everyday short form ('办个派对,' throw a party). 举办 is the fuller, more formal verb for public or official events.
举行 stresses that an event is taking place (often passive/neutral), while 举办 stresses that someone is organizing and hosting it. Native speakers pick based on whether the focus is on the host or the happening.
Acquire it by listening
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