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March 24, 2026
参加(參加)cānjiā(can1jia1)
参加 (cān jiā) means 'to participate' or 'to take part in' an activity or event. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, such as joining a meeting, event, or competition. The word emphasizes the act of being involved or included in something.
Frequency#423DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, participating in group activities, such as family gatherings or community events, is highly valued. The concept of 参加 reflects the importance of social harmony and collective involvement in society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a group of friends inviting you to a party. You can visualize yourself 'joining' them, and the characters 参 and 加 can remind you of 'joining' (加) in (参) on fun activities. The sound 'cān' can be associated with 'sand', where you 'join' others to build a sandcastle.
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AI Study Notes for 参加
Quick Contrast
参与 (cān yù) vs 参加 (cān jiā): 参与 emphasizes deeper involvement or engagement in a process, while 参加 focuses on the act of joining an event or activity.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a group of friends inviting you to a party. You can visualize yourself 'joining' them, and the characters 参 and 加 can remind you of 'joining' (加) in (参) on fun activities. The sound 'cān' can be associated with 'sand', where you 'join' others to build a sandcastle.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context in which you use 参加, as it is typically more formal than simply saying 'join'. Common collocations include 参加会议 (participate in a meeting) and 参加活动 (take part in an activity). Learners often confuse it with 参与 (cān yù), which has a slightly different emphasis on involvement.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 参加 connects with other action verbs like 做 (zuò - do) and 学习 (xué xí - learn). Focus on using it in sentences to express your participation in various activities, helping to build your conversational skills.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, participating in group activities, such as family gatherings or community events, is highly valued. The concept of 参加 reflects the importance of social harmony and collective involvement in society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 参加 with 参与, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我参与会议' (I participate in the meeting) is less common than '我参加会议'. Use 参加 for more straightforward participation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 参加
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Grammar Patterns of 参加
参加 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 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.
Today he is formally announcing his candidacy for President.
Cultural Notes for 参加
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, participating in group activities, such as family gatherings or community events, is highly valued. The concept of 参加 reflects the importance of social harmony and collective involvement in society.
Frequently Asked Questions about 参加
No, 参加 can be used for both formal and informal events, such as joining a party or attending a meeting.
You can say '我想参加这个活动' (I want to participate in this activity).
Yes, you can use 参加 for online events just like you would for in-person events.
