参加

• Pinyin: cān jiā
• Hanzi breakdown: 参 (cān) — participate, join; 加 (jiā) — add, join, increase

Meaning

To participate in; to join; to take part in. Used for activities, events, and organisations.

One of the most common verbs for expressing involvement in activities, competitions, meetings, and groups. Can apply to short events or longer-term membership.

Examples

1. 你想参加明天的比赛吗？ Do you want to take part in tomorrow's competition?
2. 我每天都参加体育活动。 I take part in sports activities every day.
3. 很多人参加了这次会议。 Many people attended this meeting.

Usage Guide

Context: activities, events, work, school

Tone: active

Do Say

• 我要参加学校的运动会。(I'm going to take part in the school sports day.)
• 欢迎大家参加这个活动。(Everyone is welcome to join this event.)

Don't Say

• Do not confuse 参加 with 参观 — 参加 means to actively participate, while 参观 means to visit and look around as an observer.

Origin & History

Compound of 参 (participate, join in) and 加 (add, increase). Together they mean 'join in and contribute to.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal