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March 24, 2026
办公室(辦公室)bàngōngshì(ban4gong1shi4)
办公室 (bàngōngshì) refers to an office, a place where professional work is conducted. It can denote a physical workspace, a business premises, or an administrative bureau. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing work environments.
Frequency#568DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
Offices in China often reflect collectivist values, with open layouts and shared spaces promoting teamwork and collaboration. This contrasts with many Western offices that might prioritize individual workspaces.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 办 (bàn) which means 'to handle' and 公 (gōng) meaning 'public'. Together with 室 (shì), which means 'room', you can visualize a 'public room for handling work'—the office. Imagine entering this room where everyone is busy handling their tasks.
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AI Study Notes for 办公室
Quick Contrast
会议室 (huìyìshì) - use 办公室 for general office spaces, while 会议室 specifically refers to a conference room.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of the character 办 (bàn) which means 'to handle' and 公 (gōng) meaning 'public'. Together with 室 (shì), which means 'room', you can visualize a 'public room for handling work'—the office. Imagine entering this room where everyone is busy handling their tasks.
Usage Notes
Be cautious of the tones when saying 办公室, as mispronouncing could lead to confusion with similar-sounding words. It is commonly used in business contexts, so it’s appropriate for both formal discussions and casual conversations about work. Note that some learners mistakenly say '工作室' (gōngzuòshì) which refers to a studio or workshop, not an office.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 办公室 connects with other workplace-related vocabulary such as 工作 (gōngzuò, work) and 职业 (zhíyè, profession). Focus on using it in sentences that describe work activities or environments to reinforce your understanding.
Cultural Note
Offices in China often reflect collectivist values, with open layouts and shared spaces promoting teamwork and collaboration. This contrasts with many Western offices that might prioritize individual workspaces.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 办公室 with 会议室 (huìyìshì), which means 'meeting room'. For example, saying '我在会议室工作' (wǒ zài huìyìshì gōngzuò) would be incorrect for stating 'I work in the office.' The correct phrase is '我在办公室工作' (wǒ zài bàngōngshì gōngzuò).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 办公室
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Grammar Patterns of 办公室
办公室 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
In the union office, the mood gradually changed from resignation to rage.
9
他在办公室闲荡了一会儿，感到百无聊赖。
tā zài bàn gōng shì xián dàng le yī huì ér， ， gǎn dào bǎi wú liáo。
He moped around the office for a while, feeling bored.
10
离校时，他们将有能力获得办公室工作的机会。
lí xiào shí， ， tā mén jiāng yǒu néng lì huò dé bàn gōng shì gōng zuò de jī。
When they leave school, they will be equipped for obtaining office jobs.
Cultural Notes for 办公室
🏮Cultural insight
Offices in China often reflect collectivist values, with open layouts and shared spaces promoting teamwork and collaboration. This contrasts with many Western offices that might prioritize individual workspaces.
Frequently Asked Questions about 办公室
办公室 refers to a traditional office setting for administrative work, while 工作室 typically means a studio or workshop, often used for creative or technical work.
Yes, you can use 办公室 to refer to a home office, though it may be more common to use 家庭办公室 (jiātíng bàngōngshì) for clarity.
Yes, 办公室 can be used in both formal and informal situations when discussing work environments.
