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操办 (cāo bàn) — to manage, to make arrangements for (an event, affair, etc.)

Definition

Used for handling the practical arrangements of an event such as a wedding, funeral, or party. Focuses on the concrete logistics of getting things done, more hands-on than broader 办理.

verb
to manageto make arrangements for (an event, affair, etc.)

Examples

  • 操办。
    Hūn lǐ yóu fù mǔ cāo bàn.
    The wedding was managed by the parents.
  • 操办。
    Gōng sī nián huì yóu tā quán quán cāo bàn.
    He is fully in charge of arranging the company's annual party.
  • 操办。
    Zhè jiàn shì xū yào tí qián cāo bàn.
    This matter needs to be arranged in advance.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

操cāomanage
办bànhandle

操 and 办 both refer to handling affairs, so together they mean arrange or manage.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
喿
喿zào操cāo
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The left part 手 shows a hand, indicating an action done by hand. The right part 喿 gives the sound.

Open 操 →

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.

Open 办 →
Appears in
Management

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