pàiduì: 派对 - Party

• Keywords: paidui, pai dui, 派对, Chinese word for party, have a party in Chinese, throw a party in Chinese, Chinese get-together, birthday party in Chinese, kāi pàiduì, cānjiā pàiduì, 聚会, 宴会
• Summary: Learn how to say “party” in Chinese with “派对” (pàiduì). This guide explains the meaning of this modern loanword, how it differs from traditional gatherings like a “聚会” (jùhuì) or “宴会” (yànhuì), and how to use it in everyday conversation. Discover how to talk about throwing a birthday party, attending a get-together, and understand the cultural context of parties in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): pàiduì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: A social gathering for celebration or entertainment; a party.
• In a Nutshell: “派对” is the modern Chinese word for “party,” borrowed directly from English. It almost always refers to a Western-style party—think birthdays with cake, holiday gatherings with friends, or a house party with music and mingling. It carries a fun, casual, and contemporary feel, distinguishing it from more traditional Chinese banquets.

• 派 (pài): This character typically means “to send/dispatch” or a “group/school of thought.” In “派对,” it serves a purely phonetic purpose, chosen to sound like the “par-” in “party.”
• 对 (duì): This character usually means “correct,” “pair,” or “to face.” Here, like “派,” it's used phonetically to mimic the “-ty” sound in “party.”

The characters “派” and “对” are combined not for their meaning, but for their sound. This is a common way that modern words, especially from English, are absorbed into the Chinese language. It's a “sound-alike” word.

The concept of a `派对` is relatively modern in China and highlights the influence of Western culture, especially among younger generations in urban areas. While China has always had social gatherings, the `派对` is distinct from traditional forms. Let's compare it to two similar concepts:

• 派对 (pàiduì) vs. 聚会 (jùhuì): A `聚会` (jùhuì) is a general “get-together” or “gathering.” It's a very broad term that could be anything from a few friends meeting for coffee to a family dinner. A `派对` is a specific *type* of `聚会`—one that is explicitly for fun and celebration, often with a Western flavor (e.g., music, games, dancing, casual mingling rather than a formal sit-down meal). Every `派对` is a `聚会`, but not every `聚会` is a `派对`.
• 派对 (pàiduì) vs. 宴会 (yànhuì): A `宴会` (yànhuì) is a “banquet” or “feast.” It is much more formal than a `派对`. A `宴会` involves a structured, multi-course sit-down meal, specific seating arrangements, and is often held for major life events like weddings, important business deals, or formal celebrations. You would hold a `宴会` for a wedding, but a `派对` for a 25th birthday.

The rise of the `派对` reflects a shift towards more individualistic and casual forms of celebration, coexisting alongside the more collective and formal traditions represented by the `宴会`.

`派对` is a common, informal word used in everyday life, especially on social media and in conversations among friends.

• Common Collocations: The most frequent verbs used with `派对` are:
  • 开派对 (kāi pàiduì): “to throw/hold a party” (literally “to open a party”).
  • 办派对 (bàn pàiduì): Also “to hold/organize a party,” slightly more formal than `开`.
  • 参加派对 (cānjiā pàiduì): “to attend a party.”
• Types of Parties: You can specify the type of party by adding a descriptor before it:
  • 生日派对 (shēngrì pàiduì): Birthday party
  • 圣诞派对 (Shèngdàn pàiduì): Christmas party
  • 新年派对 (xīnnián pàiduì): New Year's party
  • 家庭派对 (jiātíng pàiduì): House party / Family party

The term is almost always positive or neutral and is used in informal to semi-formal contexts. You would not use `派对` to describe a state dinner or a serious corporate event.

Example 1: 我们周末要开一个派对。 Pīnyīn: Wǒmen zhōumò yào kāi yí ge pàiduì. English: We're going to throw a party this weekend. Analysis: A simple, common statement using the key phrase `开派对 (kāi pàiduì)`, which means “to throw a party.” Example 2: 你愿意来参加我的生日派对吗？ Pīnyīn: Nǐ yuànyì lái cānjiā wǒ de shēngrì pàiduì ma? English: Would you like to come to my birthday party? Analysis: This shows how to invite someone to a specific type of party, a `生日派对 (shēngrì pàiduì)`, using the verb `参加 (cānjiā)` for “attend.” Example 3: 这个派对真热闹！ Pīnyīn: Zhège pàiduì zhēn rènao! English: This party is so lively! Analysis: `热闹 (rènao)` is a fantastic adjective for describing a fun, bustling, and lively atmosphere, perfect for a good party. Example 4: 他为乔迁之喜办了一个派对。 Pīnyīn: Tā wèi qiáoqiān zhī xǐ bàn le yí ge pàiduì. English: He threw a party to celebrate his housewarming. Analysis: This uses `办 (bàn)`, another verb for “to hold/organize,” and introduces the set phrase `乔迁之喜 (qiáoqiān zhī xǐ)` for the “joy of moving to a new house.” Example 5: 昨晚的派对怎么样？ Pīnyīn: Zuówǎn de pàiduì zěnmeyàng? English: How was the party last night? Analysis: A simple question asking for an opinion on a past event. `怎么样 (zěnmeyàng)` is a very useful way to ask “how was it?”. Example 6: 我给我的朋友们发了派对邀请。 Pīnyīn: Wǒ gěi wǒ de péngyoumen fā le pàiduì yāoqǐng. English: I sent party invitations to my friends. Analysis: This sentence shows `派对` used as an adjective to describe `邀请 (yāoqǐng)`, an invitation. Example 7: 他们公司的年终派对总是有很多好吃的。 Pīnyīn: Tāmen gōngsī de niánzhōng pàiduì zǒngshì yǒu hěn duō hǎochī de. English: Their company's end-of-year party always has lots of delicious food. Analysis: `派对` can also be used for semi-formal company events, especially if the vibe is more “fun social event” than “formal banquet.” Example 8: 为了这个惊喜派对，我们准备了好几个星期。 Pīnyīn: Wèile zhège jīngxǐ pàiduì, wǒmen zhǔnbèi le hǎo jǐ ge xīngqī. English: We prepared for several weeks for this surprise party. Analysis: Shows how to form “surprise party” by adding `惊喜 (jīngxǐ)` before `派对`. Example 9: 你觉得我们应该为派对买多少饮料？ Pīnyīn: Nǐ juéde wǒmen yīnggāi wèi pàiduì mǎi duōshao yǐnliào? English: How many drinks do you think we should buy for the party? Analysis: A practical sentence about planning a party, using `为 (wèi)` meaning “for.” Example 10: 他不喜欢人多的地方，所以他很少去派对。 Pīnyīn: Tā bù xǐhuān rén duō de dìfang, suǒyǐ tā hěn shǎo qù pàiduì. English: He doesn't like crowded places, so he rarely goes to parties. Analysis: This shows a negative preference, using `很少去 (hěn shǎo qù)` meaning “rarely go.”

The most common mistake for learners is not understanding the difference between `派对`, `聚会`, and `宴会`. Using the wrong word can sound strange or inappropriate.

• Mistake: Calling a formal wedding dinner a `派对`.
  • Incorrect: 他们的婚礼派对非常正式。 (Tāmen de hūnlǐ pàiduì fēicháng zhèngshì.)
  • Why it's wrong: A formal wedding dinner with a structured meal is a `宴会 (yànhuì)`. `派对` implies a much more casual, less structured event.
  • Correct: 他们的婚宴非常正式。 (Tāmen de hūnyàn fēicháng zhèngshì.) (Note: `婚宴` is “wedding banquet”).
• Mistake: Using `派对` for a simple, quiet meeting of friends.
  • Incorrect: 我今天下午要和两个朋友开个小派对。 (Wǒ jīntiān xiàwǔ yào hé liǎng ge péngyou kāi ge xiǎo pàiduì.)
  • Why it's wrong: If you're just meeting up for a chat or coffee, `派对` sounds too festive and grand. `聚会 (jùhuì)` is the natural choice.
  • Correct: 我今天下午和两个朋友有个小聚会。 (Wǒ jīntiān xiàwǔ hé liǎng ge péngyou yǒu ge xiǎo jùhuì.)

Rule of Thumb: If it involves a formal, multi-course sit-down meal, use `宴会 (yànhuì)`. If it's a general get-together, use `聚会 (jùhuì)`. If it's a celebratory, fun, Western-style event with music, games, or casual mingling, use `派对 (pàiduì)`.

• 聚会 (jùhuì) - A general “gathering” or “get-together.” `派对` is a specific type of `聚会`.
• 宴会 (yànhuì) - A formal “banquet” or “feast,” distinct from the casual `派对`.
• 晚会 (wǎnhuì) - An “evening party,” “gala,” or “soiree,” often involving performances on a stage.
• 开派对 (kāi pàiduì) - A common verb phrase meaning “to throw a party.”
• 庆祝 (qìngzhù) - (Verb) “To celebrate.” This is often the reason for having a `派对`.
• 热闹 (rènao) - (Adjective) “Lively,” “bustling.” A key quality of a good `派对`.
• 邀请 (yāoqǐng) - (Verb/Noun) “To invite” or “invitation.” You need to `邀请` guests to your `派对`.
• 客人 (kèrén) - “Guest.” The people who `参加 (cānjiā)` your `派对`.
• 活动 (huódòng) - “Activity” or “event.” A very broad term under which a `派对` could be classified.