How to say party in Chinese? 聚会 jù huì
Twelve years in Tianjin, and I still remember my first Chinese party. A colleague invited me to a 聚会 (jù huì) for her daughter’s birthday. I showed up on time, gift in hand, and found the apartment empty except for the host. The other guests arrived an hour later. That night taught me that knowing how to talk about parties in Chinese involves more than just vocabulary.
If you’re living in China or making Chinese friends, you’ll need the right words for invitations, celebrations, and social gatherings. This guide to saying party in Chinese covers everything from casual get-togethers to formal banquets.
Key Takeaways
- The most common word for party in Chinese is 聚会 (jù huì), which means gathering or get-together.
- 派对 (pài duì) is a casual loanword used especially by younger people for birthday parties and fun events.
- Formal dinners and banquets use 宴会 (yàn huì) or 晚宴 (wǎn yàn) instead of 聚会.
The Most Common Way to Say Party in Chinese
The go-to word for party in everyday Chinese is 聚会 (jù huì).
聚会 (jù huì) breaks down into two characters:
- 聚 (jù) = to gather, assemble
- 会 (huì) = meeting, gathering
Together, 聚会 (jù huì) means a social gathering or party in Chinese daily conversation. It works for everything from a casual dinner with friends to a family reunion. If you’re unsure which word to use for a party in Chinese, default to this one.
Another common option for party in Chinese is 派对 (pài duì), which comes from the English word “party.” Younger Chinese speakers use this frequently for birthday celebrations and fun social events. It feels more casual and modern than 聚会.
Related Vocabulary for Parties and Celebrations
Types of Parties
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 聚会 | jù huì | party, gathering |
| 派对 | pài duì | party (casual, loanword) |
| 晚会 | wǎn huì | evening party, social event |
| 宴会 | yàn huì | banquet, formal dinner |
| 晚宴 | wǎn yàn | dinner party, banquet |
| 生日聚会 | shēng rì jù huì | birthday party |
| 生日派对 | shēng rì pài duì | birthday party (casual) |
| 聚餐 | jù cān | group dinner, dinner party |
| 欢送会 | huān sòng huì | farewell party |
| 欢迎会 | huān yíng huì | welcome party |
Party Actions and Phrases
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 参加聚会 | cān jiā jù huì | attend a party |
| 举办聚会 | jǔ bàn jù huì | host a party |
| 邀请 | yāo qǐng | to invite |
| 庆祝 | qìng zhù | to celebrate |
| 干杯 | gān bēi | cheers (“dry cup”) |
| 玩得开心 | wán de kāi xīn | have fun |
| 礼物 | lǐ wù | gift, present |
| 迟到 | chí dào | to be late |
| 准时 | zhǔn shí | on time |
Example Sentences
Inviting Someone to a Party
Chinese: 这个周末我们有个聚会，你有空来吗？
Pinyin: Zhè gè zhōu mò wǒ men yǒu gè jù huì, nǐ yǒu kòng lái ma?
English: We have a party this weekend. Do you have time to come?
Chinese: 我想邀请你参加我的生日派对。
Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng yāo qǐng nǐ cān jiā wǒ de shēng rì pài duì.
English: I’d like to invite you to my birthday party.
Talking About Attending
Chinese: 我昨天参加了一个朋友的聚会。
Pinyin: Wǒ zuó tiān cān jiā le yí gè péng yǒu de jù huì.
English: I attended a friend’s party yesterday.
Chinese: 聚会上我们吃了火锅，玩得很开心。
Pinyin: Jù huì shàng wǒ men chī le huǒ guō, wán de hěn kāi xīn.
English: At the party we had hot pot and had a great time.
Asking About a Party
Chinese: 昨天的聚会怎么样？
Pinyin: Zuó tiān de jù huì zěn me yàng?
English: How was yesterday’s party?
Chinese: 谁在举办这个派对？
Pinyin: Shuí zài jǔ bàn zhè gè pài duì?
English: Who is hosting this party?
Advanced Ways to Say Party in Chinese Sentences
Once you’ve mastered the basics, here are more nuanced ways to talk about parties in Chinese:
Describing the Atmosphere
Chinese: 那个派对气氛很好，音乐也很棒。
Pinyin: Nà gè pài duì qì fēn hěn hǎo, yīn yuè yě hěn bàng.
English: The party had a great atmosphere, and the music was excellent too.
Chinese: 晚会上有很多好吃的和精彩的表演。
Pinyin: Wǎn huì shàng yǒu hěn duō hǎo chī de hé jīng cǎi de biǎo yǎn.
English: There was lots of delicious food and wonderful performances at the evening party.
Formal vs. Casual
For formal business events or wedding banquets, use 宴会 (yàn huì) instead of 聚会. This word carries a sense of occasion and formality.
Chinese: 公司每年都会举办一次年终宴会。
Pinyin: Gōng sī měi nián dōu huì jǔ bàn yí cì nián zhōng yàn huì.
English: The company holds an end-of-year banquet every year.
For a casual dinner with friends, 聚餐 (jù cān) is the natural choice. It literally means “gathering to eat” and implies a relaxed meal with good company.
Party Size and Type
Chinese: 这只是一个小型聚会，只有几个好朋友。
Pinyin: Zhè zhǐ shì yí gè xiǎo xíng jù huì, zhǐ yǒu jǐ gè hǎo péng yǒu.
English: This is just a small gathering with only a few good friends.
Cultural Tips for Chinese Parties
Arrive Fashionably Late (But Not Too Late)
In China, arriving exactly on time to a social party can actually make the host feel rushed. Most guests arrive 15, 30 minutes after the stated time. However, for formal banquets (宴会), punctuality is expected. When in doubt, ask: “我应该几点到？” (When should I arrive?)
Gifts Are Expected
Never show up empty-handed to a Chinese party. Fruit, snacks, or a small gift are standard. For birthday parties, a red envelope with cash is often preferred over a wrapped gift.
The Host Pays
Unlike Western culture where guests might split the bill, the host in China typically covers all costs. Don’t offer to pay at someone’s home or at a restaurant they’ve chosen for the party. Instead, reciprocate by hosting your own gathering later.
Toasting Is Serious Business
At Chinese parties, especially those with alcohol, expect multiple toasts. The phrase 干杯 (gān bēi) means “cheers,” but literally translates to “dry cup.” You’re expected to finish your drink. If you don’t drink alcohol, say early: “我不喝酒” (I don’t drink alcohol).
To keep building on 聚会, bookmark the Wiktionary entry for 聚会 and the MDBG dictionary entry for 聚会, both list extra example words and measure-word combos worth knowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 聚会 and 派对?
聚会 (jù huì) is the standard, general term for any social gathering. 派对 (pài duì) is a loanword from English “party” and sounds more casual and trendy, it is the second most common way to say party in Chinese. Young people prefer 派对 for birthday celebrations, while 聚会 works in any context.
How do I decline a party invitation politely in Chinese?
Say: “谢谢你邀请我，但是我有别的安排，下次吧。” (Thank you for inviting me, but I have other plans. Next time.) This keeps the door open without making excuses.
What should I bring to a Chinese house party?
Fresh fruit, a nice snack, or a beverage are safe choices. Avoid giving clocks (送钟 sòng zhōng sounds like “attending a funeral”) or sharp objects as gifts. A thoughtful gift shows respect for the host.
Is it okay to be late to a Chinese party?
For casual gatherings, arriving 15, 30 minutes late is normal and even expected. For formal banquets (宴会), arrive on time. When uncertain, message the host to ask.
How do Chinese people celebrate birthdays?
Birthday celebrations often involve a meal with family or friends. Long noodles symbolize longevity. In recent years, birthday 派对 (pài duì) with cakes and candles has become popular, especially among younger generations.
