B2 verb Neutral 1 min read

操持

caochi /tsʰɑ́ʊ tʂʰɨ̌/
Practice it

To manage affairs with personal dedication and hard work.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • To manage household chores or daily affairs.
  • To organize or prepare for a significant event.
  • Implies hard work and personal dedication.

Overview

  1. 1概述：操持是一个具有浓厚生活气息的动词，核心含义是“管理”与“打理”。它不仅指简单的执行，更包含了一种持家、维持秩序的责任感和辛勤劳作的意味。2) 用法模式：该词通常后面接具体的事务对象，如“操持家务”、“操持婚事”。其主语多为负责管理的人，如父母、管家或活动组织者。3) 常见语境：最常用于家庭生活，形容长辈（特别是母亲）对家庭琐事的打理；也用于描述大型活动（如婚礼、葬礼、庆典）的筹备过程，强调过程的繁琐与责任重大。4) 同义词辨析：“管理”偏向于组织、指挥和制度化，语境较正式；“操持”则更具人情味，强调亲力亲为的辛苦和照顾的细致，带有一定的感情色彩，常用于口语或文学描写中。

Examples

1

她一个人操持着全家的衣食住行。

everyday

She manages all the food, clothing, housing, and transportation for the whole family by herself.

2

这次婚礼全由新郎的父母操持。

formal

The wedding was entirely organized by the groom's parents.

3

别太操持了，休息一会儿吧。

informal

Don't work so hard, take a break.

4

他多年来一直操持着家族的生意。

academic

He has been managing the family business for many years.

Common Collocations

操持家务 manage household chores
操持婚事 arrange a wedding
辛苦操持 laborious management

Common Phrases

操持家务

manage household affairs

操持一切

take care of everything

Often Confused With

操持 vs 管理

Refers to systematic control and administration. It lacks the emotional nuance of hard work and personal care found in '操持'.

Grammar Patterns

操持 + [事务] 辛苦地 + 操持 + [宾语] [主语] + 操持着 + [宾语]

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The word '操持' is versatile but leans towards informal or semi-formal registers. It is highly idiomatic when describing domestic life. It is not suitable for abstract or high-level bureaucratic management contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often use it for business administration where it sounds unnatural. Remember that it implies 'hands-on' work. Do not use it if the subject is a computer system or a passive process.

Tips

💡

Focus on the effort involved

Remember that '操持' implies more than just management; it implies physical labor and emotional care. Use it when describing someone who works hard to keep things running smoothly.

⚠️

Avoid using for high-level management

Do not use '操持' for corporate governance or high-level strategic planning. It is better suited for practical, hands-on tasks.

🌍

The traditional role of the 'homemaker'

The word is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese family values, often highlighting the invisible labor of mothers or heads of households.

Word Origin

The word combines '操' (to handle/exercise) and '持' (to hold/maintain). It evolved from the sense of 'holding' the daily affairs of life firmly in one's hands.

Cultural Context

Reflects the traditional Chinese emphasis on family cohesion and the role of the primary caregiver. It is often used to express gratitude for the labor of older generations.

Memory Tip

Think of '操' (to exercise/handle) + '持' (to hold). Imagine someone holding the reins of a busy household with both hands!

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

“管理”侧重于指挥、控制和系统化，多用于职场或机构；“操持”侧重于亲力亲为的琐事处理，多用于家庭或个人事务，带有辛苦劳作的感情色彩。

可以，但通常指代具体的执行性工作，如“操持一个项目”。不过它在家庭语境下使用频率远高于职场。

是的，它通常带有赞美意味，形容一个人为了家庭或他人辛勤奉献，体现了责任感和持家能力。

通常需要带宾语，说明具体操持的内容。如果不带宾语，语境中必须明确所指的事务。

Test Yourself

fill blank

母亲一个人辛苦地___着这个家，从没抱怨过。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 操持

操持最能体现为了家庭琐事而付出的辛劳。

Score: /1

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