The Chinese word 请柬 (qǐng jiǎn), a noun, directly translates to 'invitation card' or simply 'invitation' in English. It refers to a formal or semi-formal card or document that is sent to someone to invite them to an event, such as a wedding, birthday party, formal dinner, conference, or exhibition. The term itself is composed of two characters: 请 (qǐng), meaning 'to invite' or 'please', and 柬 (jiǎn), which is a more literary term for a letter or note, often used in compounds related to invitations or greetings.
- Etymology
- The character 柬 (jiǎn) historically referred to a type of bamboo slip used for writing messages. Over time, its meaning evolved to encompass written communications, particularly those that convey requests or invitations. The combination with 请 (qǐng), the verb for 'to invite', makes 请柬 a clear and direct term for an invitation card.
- Usage Context
- 请柬 is typically used in situations where a formal invitation is required. This includes significant life events like weddings (婚礼请柬 - hūnlǐ qǐng jiǎn), engagements (订婚请柬 - dìnghūn qǐng jiǎn), and significant birthdays (生日请柬 - shēngrì qǐng jiǎn). It is also used for more official gatherings such as business banquets (宴会请柬 - yànhuì qǐng jiǎn), conferences (会议请柬 - huìyì qǐng jiǎn), and exhibitions (展览请柬 - zhǎnlǎn qǐng jiǎn). In less formal settings, people might use simpler terms like '邀请' (yāoqǐng - invitation) or just verbally invite someone, but 请柬 implies a physical or digital card with specific details.
- Formality
- The word 请柬 inherently carries a sense of formality. While you might receive an invitation via text message or email, the term 请柬 is most often associated with a designed card, whether physical or digital, that contains specific details like the event name, date, time, location, and RSVP information. This formality reflects the importance of the event being invited to.
收到一份精美的婚礼请柬，我感到非常高兴。
公司年会使用的是正式的请柬。
- Cultural Nuance
- In Chinese culture, invitations, especially for significant events, are often extended with a great deal of politeness and consideration. The design and wording of a 请柬 can reflect the host's respect for the guest and the importance they place on the guest's attendance. Receiving a beautifully designed 请柬 can be seen as a sign of a strong relationship or a high level of respect from the host.
- Modern Usage
- While traditional paper 请柬 are still common for weddings and major events, digital invitations are increasingly popular. These digital 请柬 often mimic the design and formality of their paper counterparts and can be sent via email, messaging apps, or dedicated invitation websites. The term 请柬 still applies to these digital formats.
Using 请柬 (qǐng jiǎn) correctly in sentences involves understanding its role as a noun referring to an invitation card. It can be the subject of a sentence, the object, or used in prepositional phrases. The context will usually indicate the type of event the invitation is for.
- As the Subject
- When the invitation card itself is the focus:
这份请柬设计得非常漂亮。
- As the Object
- When someone receives, sends, or reads the invitation:
我收到了参加晚宴的请柬。
- With Modifiers
- Often used with specific types of events:
这是我妹妹的婚礼请柬。
- In Questions
- Asking about or referring to an invitation:
你收到会议的请柬了吗？
- With Verbs of Action
- Verbs like 'send', 'design', 'print', 'mail':
我们正在设计新的公司活动请柬。
- In Temporal Clauses
- Indicating when something happens in relation to the invitation:
在收到请柬后，我立刻确认了我的出席。
- Common Combinations
- Pairs with common verbs and nouns:
发送请柬 (fāsòng qǐng jiǎn) - To send an invitation card.
设计请柬 (shèjì qǐng jiǎn) - To design an invitation card.
Example: 这个请柬的设计非常独特。
You'll encounter the word 请柬 (qǐng jiǎn) in various real-life scenarios, primarily revolving around organized events and formal announcements. Its usage is tied to occasions where a specific invitation is extended, rather than a general announcement.
- Weddings and Celebrations
- This is perhaps the most common context. When a couple gets married, they send out wedding 请柬 to their friends, family, and colleagues. You'll hear discussions about designing, printing, and distributing these 请柬. For example, a friend might ask, '你的婚礼请柬收到了吗？' (Did you receive our wedding 请柬?).
- Corporate Events
- Companies use 请柬 for various events, such as annual dinners, product launches, press conferences, and important client appreciation events. An office administrator might say, '请把这份请柬发给所有部门经理。' (Please send this 请柬 to all department managers.).
- Formal Parties and Dinners
- Hosting a formal dinner party, an anniversary celebration, or a significant birthday often involves sending out 请柬. Hosts might discuss the contents of the 请柬 with a planner or a family member: '我们应该在请柬上注明着装要求吗？' (Should we specify the dress code on the 请柬?).
- Academic and Professional Conferences
- Organizers of academic conferences, seminars, workshops, and professional gatherings will send out 请柬 to invited speakers, participants, and VIPs. You might hear announcements like: '请注意查收您邮箱中的会议请柬。' (Please check your email for the conference 请柬.).
- Art Exhibitions and Gallery Openings
- Art galleries and museums often send 请柬 for exhibition openings or special events to patrons, critics, and artists. A gallery owner might tell their assistant: '请确认一下今天下午的请柬是否都发出去了。' (Please confirm if all the 请柬 for this afternoon have been sent out.).
- Diplomatic and Official Functions
- Government offices, embassies, and consulates use 请柬 for official receptions, state dinners, and diplomatic events. The language used in these 请柬 is typically very formal.
While 请柬 (qǐng jiǎn) is a straightforward term, learners might make a few common errors, often related to overgeneralization or confusion with similar concepts.
- Using 请柬 for informal invitations
- Mistake: Using 请柬 when a simple verbal invitation or a casual message is sufficient. For instance, inviting a friend for coffee doesn't typically warrant a '请柬'.
- Correct Usage: 请柬 is reserved for more formal or significant events like weddings, parties, conferences, or official functions. For casual get-togethers, simply use '邀请' (yāoqǐng - to invite) or a direct phrase like '我想请你...' (wǒ xiǎng qǐng nǐ... - I'd like to invite you...).
- Confusing 请柬 with 邀请
- Mistake: Using 请柬 interchangeably with 邀请 (yāoqǐng). While 邀请 means 'invitation' in a broader sense (as a noun or verb), 请柬 specifically refers to the physical or digital card.
- Correct Usage: 邀请 can be a verb ('请你来参加派对' - qǐng nǐ lái cānjiā pàiduì - invite you to come to the party) or a noun ('这是一个正式的邀请' - zhè shì yī gè zhèngshì de yāoqǐng - this is a formal invitation). 请柬 is the noun for the 'invitation card' itself. You might say, '我收到了一个参加会议的请柬' (I received an invitation card to attend the conference), not '我收到了一个参加会议的邀请'.
- Grammatical Errors with 请柬
- Mistake: Incorrectly using measure words or sentence structures. For instance, saying '一张请柬' is correct, but forgetting the measure word or misplacing it can lead to errors.
- Correct Usage: As a countable noun, 请柬 typically uses the measure word '张' (zhāng). So, '一张请柬' (yī zhāng qǐng jiǎn) means 'one invitation card'. Ensure correct placement within sentences, e.g., '我需要寄出五十张请柬。' (I need to mail fifty invitation cards.).
- Literal Translation Issues
- Mistake: Trying to translate the components '请' and '柬' literally in every context, which might not capture the nuance of 'invitation card'.
- Correct Usage: Understand that 请柬 functions as a single unit meaning 'invitation card'. While the etymology is interesting, focus on its idiomatic meaning. For example, '请' also means 'please', but in 请柬, it specifically relates to the act of inviting.
In Chinese, several words and phrases relate to invitations, each with its own nuance and level of formality. Understanding these distinctions is key to using 请柬 (qǐng jiǎn) effectively.
- 邀请 (yāoqǐng)
- Meaning: Invitation (noun) or to invite (verb).
- Comparison: 邀请 is a broader term. It can refer to the act of inviting or the general concept of an invitation. 请柬 specifically refers to the physical or digital 'invitation card'. You might say '我收到了一个邀请' (I received an invitation) which could be verbal or written, but if it's a card, it's a '请柬'.
- Example:
邀请 (verb): 我想邀请你参加我的生日派对。(Wǒ xiǎng yāoqǐng nǐ cānjiā wǒ de shēngrì pàiduì.) - I want to invite you to my birthday party.
邀请 (noun, general): 这是一个正式的邀请。(Zhè shì yī gè zhèngshì de yāoqǐng.) - This is a formal invitation.
请柬 (noun, card): 我收到了生日派对的请柬。(Wǒ shōudào le shēngrì pàiduì de qǐng jiǎn.) - I received the invitation card for the birthday party.
- 喜帖 (xǐ tiě)
- Meaning: Wedding invitation card.
- Comparison: 喜帖 is a specific type of 请柬, exclusively used for weddings. It literally means 'happy card' (喜 xǐ - happy, 帖 tiě - card/note). All 喜帖 are 请柬, but not all 请柬 are 喜帖.
- Example:
喜帖: 他们的婚礼喜帖非常喜庆。(Tāmen de hūnlǐ xǐ tiě fēicháng xǐqìng.) - Their wedding invitation card is very festive.
- 函 (hán)
- Meaning: Letter, message (often formal or official).
- Comparison: 函 is a more general and often literary term for a letter. While 柬 (jiǎn) in 请柬 can mean a note or letter, 函 is broader. You might see it in compound words like '公函' (gōnghán - official letter). 请柬 is specifically an invitation card, not just any formal letter.
- Example:
函: 他写了一封很长的函。(Tā xiě le yī fēng hěn cháng de hán.) - He wrote a very long letter.
- 通知 (tōngzhī)
- Meaning: Notice, announcement.
- Comparison: 通知 is used for general announcements or notifications about events, meetings, or changes. It's less about a personal invitation and more about informing people. A 请柬 is a form of 通知, but a 通知 isn't necessarily a 请柬.
- Example:
通知: 请大家注意会议通知。(Qǐng dàjiā zhùyì huìyì tōngzhī.) - Please pay attention to the meeting notice.
- 请帖 (qǐng tiē)
- Meaning: Invitation card (less common alternative to 请柬).
- Comparison: 请帖 is very similar to 请柬 and can often be used interchangeably. Both mean 'invitation card'. 请柬 might be slightly more common in contemporary usage, especially for formal events, but 请帖 is also perfectly valid.
- Example:
请帖: 这是一张精美的晚宴请帖。(Zhè shì yī zhāng jīngměi de wǎnyàn qǐng tiē.) - This is an exquisite dinner invitation card.
Examples by Level
你好！
Hello!
谢谢！
Thank you!
再见！
Goodbye!
请。
Please.
是。
Yes.
不。
No.
水。
Water.
吃。
Eat.
我想请你吃饭。
I want to invite you to eat.
'请' (qǐng) here means 'to invite'.
这是我的生日请柬。
This is my birthday invitation card.
'请柬' (qǐng jiǎn) is 'invitation card'. '生日' (shēngrì) is 'birthday'.
你收到请柬了吗？
Did you receive the invitation card?
'收到' (shōudào) means 'to receive'.
请柬上写着时间。
The invitation card writes the time.
'写着' (xiězhe) means 'is written'.
这是一个正式的邀请。
This is a formal invitation.
'正式的' (zhèngshì de) means 'formal'.
请柬是红色的。
The invitation card is red.
'红色' (hóngsè) means 'red'.
请柬是什么时候？
What time is the invitation card?
Asking about the time on the invitation.
谢谢你的请柬。
Thank you for your invitation card.
Expressing gratitude for the invitation.
我收到了公司年会的请柬，你呢？
I received the invitation card for the company's annual meeting, how about you?
'公司年会' (gōngsī niánhuì) - company annual meeting.
这份请柬的设计非常精美，一看就是花了心思的。
The design of this invitation card is very exquisite; it's clear that thought was put into it.
'精美' (jīngměi) - exquisite; '花了心思' (huā le xīnsi) - put thought into it.
请柬上注明了着装要求，我们需要穿正装。
The invitation card specifies the dress code; we need to wear formal attire.
'注明' (zhùmíng) - specify; '着装要求' (zhuózhuāng yāoqiú) - dress code; '正装' (zhèngzhuāng) - formal wear.
我们打算在下个月寄出所有的婚礼请柬。
We plan to mail out all the wedding invitation cards next month.
'寄出' (jìchū) - to mail out; '婚礼' (hūnlǐ) - wedding.
如果你收到了请柬，请尽快回复，以便我们安排座位。
If you receive an invitation card, please reply as soon as possible so we can arrange seating.
'尽快回复' (jǐnkuài huífù) - reply as soon as possible; '安排座位' (ānpái zuòwèi) - arrange seating.
这次的画展请柬很有艺术感，我一定会去。
This art exhibition's invitation card has a strong artistic feel; I will definitely go.
'画展' (huàzhǎn) - art exhibition; '艺术感' (yìshù gǎn) - artistic feel.
他们把请柬直接发到了我的电子邮箱里。
They sent the invitation card directly to my email inbox.
'电子邮箱' (diànzǐ yóuxiāng) - email.
收到这张请柬，我感到非常荣幸。
Receiving this invitation card, I feel very honored.
'荣幸' (róngxìng) - honored.
这封请柬的语言风格非常正式，显示了主办方对此次活动的重视。
The language style of this invitation card is very formal, showing the organizer's emphasis on this event.
'语言风格' (yǔyán fēnggé) - language style; '主办方' (zhǔbànfāng) - organizer; '重视' (zhòngshì) - to value, to emphasize.
我们收到的请柬上要求在三天内回复，否则将视为自动放弃。
The invitation card we received requests a reply within three days, otherwise it will be considered as forfeiting automatically.
'视为' (shìwéi) - to be regarded as; '自动放弃' (zìdòng fàngqì) - forfeit automatically.
考虑到嘉宾众多，我们准备了电子版的请柬，以减少纸张浪费。
Considering the large number of guests, we have prepared an electronic version of the invitation card to reduce paper waste.
'电子版' (diànzǐ bǎn) - electronic version; '纸张浪费' (zhǐzhāng làngfèi) - paper waste.
这张请柬的设计灵感来源于中国传统的祥云图案。
The design inspiration for this invitation card comes from traditional Chinese auspicious cloud patterns.
'灵感来源于' (línggǎn láiyuán yú) - inspiration comes from; '祥云图案' (xiángyún tú'àn) - auspicious cloud pattern.
请柬的背面印有详细的交通指南和地图。
The back of the invitation card is printed with detailed transportation guidance and a map.
'背面' (bèimiàn) - back side; '交通指南' (jiāotōng zhǐnán) - transportation guidance.
他收到了一张来自国际组织的会议请柬，内容是关于环境保护的。
He received an invitation card for a conference from an international organization, the content is about environmental protection.
'国际组织' (guójì zǔzhī) - international organization; '环境保护' (huánjìng bǎohù) - environmental protection.
由于场地限制，本次活动的名额有限，请柬将优先发给早期报名者。
Due to venue limitations, the number of spots for this event is limited, and invitation cards will be prioritized for early registrants.
'场地限制' (chǎngdì xiànzhì) - venue limitations; '名额有限' (míng'é yǒuxiàn) - limited spots; '优先发给' (yōuxiān fā gěi) - prioritize giving to.
她精心挑选了请柬的纸张和字体，力求体现出婚礼的浪漫氛围。
She carefully selected the paper and font for the invitation card, striving to reflect the romantic atmosphere of the wedding.
'精心挑选' (jīngxīn tiāoxuǎn) - carefully select; '字体' (zìtǐ) - font; '力求' (lìqiú) - strive to; '浪漫氛围' (làngmàn fēnwéi) - romantic atmosphere.
本次研讨会的请柬设计得极为简约，但其背后蕴含的深意却引人深思。
The invitation card for this seminar is designed extremely simply, but the profound meaning contained within it is thought-provoking.
'研讨会' (yántǎohuì) - seminar; '极为简约' (jíwéi jiǎnyuē) - extremely minimalist; '蕴含' (yùnhán) - to contain, to hold; '深意' (shēnyì) - profound meaning; '引人深思' (yǐnrén shēnsī) - thought-provoking.
我们收到了一份来自某位著名艺术家的展览请柬，但其具体内容却语焉不详。
We received an exhibition invitation card from a certain famous artist, but its specific content is vague.
'著名艺术家' (zhùmíng yìshùjiā) - famous artist; '语焉不详' (yǔyān bùxiáng) - vague, not clearly stated.
鉴于此次活动的重要性，请柬的措辞必须严谨，以免引起不必要的误解。
Given the importance of this event, the wording of the invitation card must be rigorous to avoid causing unnecessary misunderstandings.
'鉴于' (jiànyú) - in view of, given; '措辞' (cuòcí) - wording, phrasing; '严谨' (yánjǐn) - rigorous, strict; '避免' (bìmiǎn) - to avoid; '不必要的误解' (bùbìyào de wùjiě) - unnecessary misunderstanding.
他们别出心裁地将请柬做成了可折叠的小册子，内容详尽且设计独特。
They uniquely made the invitation card into a foldable booklet, with detailed content and a unique design.
'别出心裁' (biéchū xīncái) - unique, original; '可折叠' (kě zhédié) - foldable; '小册子' (xiǎo cèzi) - booklet; '详尽' (xiángjìn) - detailed.
请柬中附带了一张地图，标明了前往会场的最佳路线，并提醒注意交通拥堵。
A map is attached to the invitation card, indicating the best route to the venue and reminding attendees to be aware of traffic congestion.
'附带' (fùdài) - to attach; '标明' (biāomíng) - to indicate, to mark; '会场' (huìchǎng) - venue; '交通拥堵' (jiāotōng yōngdǔ) - traffic congestion.
每张请柬都经过手工制作，并附有手写的感谢信，体现了主人家的诚意。
Each invitation card is handmade and accompanied by a handwritten thank-you note, reflecting the sincerity of the hosts.
'手工制作' (shǒugōng zhìzuò) - handmade; '诚意' (chéngyì) - sincerity.
尽管数字请柬日益普及，但对于某些重要场合，传统的纸质请柬仍显其不可替代的庄重感。
Although digital invitation cards are increasingly popular, for certain important occasions, traditional paper invitation cards still show their irreplaceable solemnity.
'日益普及' (rìyì pǔjí) - increasingly popular; '纸质' (zhǐzhì) - paper material; '庄重感' (zhuāngzhòng gǎn) - sense of solemnity.
请柬上的二维码扫描后，可以直接跳转到活动详情页面，并提供在线 RSVP 功能。
After scanning the QR code on the invitation card, one can directly jump to the event details page and use the online RSVP function.
'二维码' (èrwéimǎ) - QR code; '跳转' (tiàozuǎn) - to jump to; '活动详情页面' (huódòng xiángqíng yèmiàn) - event details page; '在线 RSVP 功能' (zàixiàn RSVP gōngnéng) - online RSVP function.
本次慈善晚宴的请柬以其别具匠心的设计和充满人文关怀的措辞，在众多邀请函中脱颖而出，成为焦点。
The invitation card for this charity gala, with its ingeniously crafted design and wording full of humanistic care, stood out among numerous invitations and became a focal point.
'慈善晚宴' (císhàn wǎnyàn) - charity gala; '别具匠心' (biéjù jiàngxīn) - ingeniously crafted, original; '人文关怀' (rénwén guānhuái) - humanistic care; '脱颖而出' (tuōyǐng ér chū) - to stand out.
考虑到潜在的接收者可能来自不同的文化背景，请柬的设计和内容需要避免任何可能引起误解或冒犯的元素。
Considering that potential recipients may come from different cultural backgrounds, the design and content of the invitation card need to avoid any elements that might cause misunderstanding or offense.
'潜在的接收者' (qiánzài de jiēshōuzhě) - potential recipients; '文化背景' (wénhuà bèijǐng) - cultural background; '冒犯' (màofàn) - to offend.
请柬中嵌入的数字水印技术不仅能验证其真伪，还能在特定条件下触发隐藏的互动内容，这在邀请函设计领域堪称一次突破。
The digital watermark technology embedded in the invitation card can not only verify its authenticity but also trigger hidden interactive content under specific conditions, which can be considered a breakthrough in the field of invitation card design.
'嵌入' (qiànrù) - to embed; '数字水印技术' (shùzì shuǐyìn jìshù) - digital watermark technology; '验证' (yànzhèng) - to verify; '真伪' (zhēnwěi) - authenticity; '触发' (chùfā) - to trigger; '互动内容' (hùdòng nèiróng) - interactive content; '堪称一次突破' (kānchēng yī cì túpò) - can be considered a breakthrough.
尽管现代科技日新月异，但请柬所承载的仪式感和人情味，在许多人心中依然占据着不可替代的位置。
Although modern technology is rapidly advancing, the sense of ceremony and human touch that invitation cards carry still hold an irreplaceable position in many people's hearts.
'日新月异' (rìxīn yuèyì) - rapid changes, fast development; '承载' (chéngzài) - to bear, to carry; '仪式感' (yíshì gǎn) - sense of ceremony; '人情味' (rénqíngwèi) - human touch, warmth of human relations.
在信息爆炸的时代，一份精心设计的纸质请柬，其所蕴含的郑重承诺和专属感，是任何电子通知都难以比拟的。
In the age of information explosion, a meticulously designed paper invitation card, with its contained solemn promise and sense of exclusivity, is something that any electronic notification can hardly match.
'信息爆炸的时代' (xìnxī bàozhà de shídài) - age of information explosion; '郑重承诺' (zhèngzhòng chéngnuò) - solemn promise; '专属感' (zhuānshǔ gǎn) - sense of exclusivity; '难以比拟' (nányǐ bǐnǐ) - hard to match.
请柬的设计风格是否与活动的整体基调相契合，直接影响着受邀者对活动的第一印象。
Whether the design style of the invitation card aligns with the overall tone of the event directly affects the guests' first impression of the event.
'基调' (jīdiào) - tone, keynote; '相契合' (xiāng qìhé) - to align with, to match; '受邀者' (shòuyāo zhě) - invited person.
在某些传统文化中，请柬的颜色、图案甚至折叠方式都蕴含着特定的象征意义，需要谨慎对待。
In some traditional cultures, the color, patterns, and even folding method of the invitation card contain specific symbolic meanings that need to be treated with caution.
'象征意义' (xiàngzhēng yìyì) - symbolic meaning; '谨慎对待' (jǐnshèn duìdài) - to treat with caution.
通过分析历年来的请柬样本，我们可以洞察到社会交往方式的变迁以及审美趣味的演进。
By analyzing sample invitation cards from previous years, we can gain insight into the changes in social interaction methods and the evolution of aesthetic tastes.
'洞察' (dòngchá) - to gain insight into; '变迁' (biànqiān) - changes, transition; '审美趣味' (shěnměi qùwèi) - aesthetic taste; '演进' (yǎnjìn) - evolution.
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Related Grammar Rules
More daily_life words
朝九晚五
B2From nine to five; regular working hours.
未免
B2Rather; a bit too; truly (implies something excessive).
废弃
B2To abandon; to discard; to cease to use.
恪守
B2To scrupulously observe; to strictly adhere to.
反常
B2abnormal, unusual
充裕
B2Abundant; ample.
充沛
B2Abundant; plentiful; full of energy.
门禁卡
B2Access card; entry card.
门禁
B2Access control (system).
配件
B2Fittings; accessories; spare parts.
