出席

• Pinyin: chū xí
• Hanzi breakdown: 出 = pictograph of stepping out; 席 = 巾 (cloth) + 庶 (many), originally a woven mat used for formal seating

Meaning

To attend; to be present at (a meeting, ceremony, or formal event).

A formal word for attending events such as meetings (会议), ceremonies (典礼), banquets (宴会), and conferences. It implies active participation or official presence, not casual attendance. The opposite is 缺席 (to be absent). Often used in news, invitations, and official contexts.

Examples

1. 总经理今天因为生病没有出席会议。 The general manager didn't attend the meeting today because he was ill.
2. 他被邀请出席明天的开幕典礼。 He was invited to attend the opening ceremony tomorrow.
3. 出席这次活动的人数比预计的多。 The number of people who attended this event was higher than expected.

Usage Guide

Context: meetings, ceremonies, official events

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请问您能出席下周的会议吗？(Could you attend next week's meeting?)
• 她代表公司出席了这次国际会议。(She attended this international conference on behalf of the company.)

Don't Say

• 说'我出席朋友的聚会' (Don't use 出席 for casual get-togethers with friends — use 参加 instead; 出席 is reserved for formal occasions)

Origin & History

出 (to go out, to appear) + 席 (seat, banquet mat). Originally meant to step out to take one's seat at a formal gathering, evolving to mean attending an event.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal