创办

• Pinyin: chuàng bàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 创 = 仓 (granary, phonetic) + 刂 (knife), to create; 办 = 力 (strength) × 2, to handle

Meaning

To found; to establish; to set up. To create an organization or enterprise from scratch.

Specifically used for founding organizations, businesses, schools, publications, or institutions. Emphasizes the initial creation and establishment rather than ongoing management. Often used in business and educational contexts when discussing entrepreneurs or pioneers.

Examples

1. 他二十五岁就创办了自己的第一家公司。 He founded his first company when he was only twenty-five.
2. 这所大学是一百多年前由几位学者创办的。 This university was founded by several scholars over a hundred years ago.
3. 她辞职后创办了一家专注于环保的社会企业。 After quitting her job, she founded a social enterprise focused on environmental protection.

Usage Guide

Context: business, education, career

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 马云创办了阿里巴巴。(Jack Ma founded Alibaba.)
• 她计划创办一本新杂志。(She plans to start a new magazine.)

Don't Say

• '创办'用于机构或事业，不用于产品或作品 (创办 is for institutions or enterprises, not for products or works — use 创造 or 创作 for those)

Origin & History

Combines 创 (to create/initiate) with 办 (to manage/handle), meaning to create and establish something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal