办理 (bàn lǐ) — to handle, to transact | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

办理 focuses on processing official procedures (passport, loan, formalities). 办 is the general 'handle/manage'; 举办 is only for events.

verb

to handleto transact

Examples

办理。
Wǒ qù yín háng bàn lǐ dài kuǎn.
I'm going to the bank to handle a loan.
办理。
Qǐng dào gōng sī bàn lǐ shǒu xù.
Please go to the company to handle the formalities.
办理。
Tā zhèng zài bàn lǐ hù zhào.
He is processing his passport.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

理lǐmanage

Both parts mean handle or manage; together they describe taking care of a task or transaction.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 辦; 办 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

力力lìstrength

Sound part声符shēngfú

辡

辡biàn辦bàn

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 辦 combines 力 (strength) with 辡, which gives the sound; the simplified 办 is a later shorthand.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

玉玉yùjade

Sound part声符shēngfú

里

里lǐ理lǐ

Same sound today

理 pairs 玉 (jade) with 里, which shows how to say it; the jade part points to the old sense of polishing jade.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 4 HSK 2.0 Level 5 Workplace & Office

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