A banquet is a formal, large-scale meal designed for celebration or social hospitality.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A formal event where people gather to eat and celebrate.
- Commonly used for weddings, festivals, or social banquets.
- Emphasizes social etiquette and the scale of the meal.
1) 概述：宴席（yànxí）是中国社交文化中非常核心的概念，指代一种正式的、规模较大的用餐聚会。它不仅仅是为了填饱肚子，更承载了社交、礼仪和情感交流的功能。
2) 用法：宴席通常作为名词使用，可以做主语或宾语。常见的搭配包括“摆宴席”、“赴宴”、“参加宴席”等。在句中，它往往与大型活动挂钩，如婚宴、寿宴或国宴。
3) 常见语境：宴席多见于正式场合，比如亲友聚会、商务洽谈或庆典活动。在农村，婚丧嫁娶常被称为“办酒席”或“吃宴席”，是联络邻里感情的重要方式。
4) 近义词对比：与“聚餐”相比，“宴席”更加正式，规模往往更大，仪式感更强；“聚餐”则可以是非常随意的三五好友小聚，而“宴席”通常意味着有特定的主题或庆祝目的。
Examples
他们为婚礼准备了丰盛的宴席。
everydayThey prepared a lavish banquet for the wedding.
公司在年底举办了隆重的宴席以答谢员工。
formalThe company held a grand banquet at the end of the year to thank the employees.
今天家里办宴席，欢迎来参加。
informalWe are hosting a banquet at home today, you are welcome to join.
历史记载中，王公贵族常在宴席上商议政事。
academicIn historical records, nobles often discussed state affairs at banquets.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
设宴款待
to host a banquet to entertain guests
宾主尽欢
both host and guests have a great time at the banquet
赴宴
to go to a banquet
Often Confused With
Refers to any gathering for a meal, which can be informal and small-scale. Does not necessarily imply the ritual or formality of a banquet.
Very similar to 宴席, but often specifically emphasizes the presence of alcohol and is slightly more common in colloquial or rural settings.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '宴席' carries a sense of formality and tradition. It is best used when describing events that involve multiple guests and a structured meal. Avoid using it for casual, daily meals to maintain the appropriate register.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use '宴席' for any type of group eating. Remember that it implies a degree of ceremony. Also, avoid redundant phrasing like '吃宴席饭', as '宴席' already implies the event of eating.
Tips
Use with formal verbs
Pair '宴席' with verbs like '举办' (to host) or '参加' (to attend) to sound more professional. Avoid using it for casual fast food outings.
Don't confuse with casual meals
Using '宴席' for a simple lunch with a friend will sound overly formal and slightly awkward. Stick to '吃饭' or '聚餐' for casual situations.
The importance of hospitality
In Chinese culture, hosting a lavish banquet is a traditional way to show respect to guests. It is a vital part of maintaining social relationships.
Word Origin
The character '宴' comes from the concept of peaceful enjoyment under a roof, while '席' originally referred to the straw mats used for seating in ancient China. Combined, they refer to the formal seating and serving of a feast.
Cultural Context
In China, the banquet is a vital tool for 'Guanxi' (relationship building). It is a space where business, family ties, and social status are reinforced through shared food and drink.
Memory Tip
Think of '宴' as a person under a roof (宀) enjoying a great meal (日+女), and '席' as the mat/seat provided for the guest. Together, it represents a grand seating arrangement for a feast.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions宴席规模较大且通常具有仪式感，往往是为了庆祝特定事件。聚餐则比较随意，朋友同事之间平时的吃饭也可以称为聚餐。
在描述婚礼、大型商务招待或重要的节日庆典时使用。如果你只是和好朋友去餐厅吃饭，通常不会说“宴席”。
意思是准备并举办一场宴席。这通常表示主人为了某件喜事（如结婚、生子）邀请亲友共同庆祝。
它既可以在书面语中使用，也可以在口语中使用。在正式场合或描述传统习俗时，它是一个非常地道的词汇。
Test Yourself
为了庆祝女儿结婚，他们在家中摆了丰盛的___。
因为是庆祝结婚，属于正式场合，用“宴席”最贴切。
以下哪个场景最适合使用“宴席”？
宴席通常指规模大、有仪式感的聚餐。
昨天 / 参加了 / 我们 / 一场 / 盛大的 / 宴席
标准的中文主谓宾结构。
Score: /3
Summary
A banquet is a formal, large-scale meal designed for celebration or social hospitality.
- A formal event where people gather to eat and celebrate.
- Commonly used for weddings, festivals, or social banquets.
- Emphasizes social etiquette and the scale of the meal.
Use with formal verbs
Pair '宴席' with verbs like '举办' (to host) or '参加' (to attend) to sound more professional. Avoid using it for casual fast food outings.
Don't confuse with casual meals
Using '宴席' for a simple lunch with a friend will sound overly formal and slightly awkward. Stick to '吃饭' or '聚餐' for casual situations.
The importance of hospitality
In Chinese culture, hosting a lavish banquet is a traditional way to show respect to guests. It is a vital part of maintaining social relationships.
Examples
4 of 4他们为婚礼准备了丰盛的宴席。
They prepared a lavish banquet for the wedding.
公司在年底举办了隆重的宴席以答谢员工。
The company held a grand banquet at the end of the year to thank the employees.
今天家里办宴席，欢迎来参加。
We are hosting a banquet at home today, you are welcome to join.
历史记载中，王公贵族常在宴席上商议政事。
In historical records, nobles often discussed state affairs at banquets.
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