捧场

• Pinyin: pěng chǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 捧 = 扌 + 奉 (hand + offer — support by holding up); 场 = 土 + 易 (earth + change — open space or venue)

Meaning

To support a performer or event by attending; to show up and cheer someone on; to give face by being present or offering compliments.

Originally referred to attending a performance to show support. Now broadly used when someone attends an event, purchases from a friend, or offers praise out of social obligation or genuine goodwill. Can carry a slightly sycophantic tone depending on context.

Examples

1. 老朋友的首次个展，无论多忙他都要去捧场，这是义不容辞的事。 For an old friend’s first solo exhibition, no matter how busy he is, he has to show up and support it—it’s the least he can do.
2. 你要是不去捧场，她可能会觉得你不重视这段友情。 If you don’t go show your support, she might feel you don’t value this friendship.
3. 这家新开的餐厅刚试营业，街坊邻居们都去捧场，生意出奇地好。 That newly opened restaurant was in a trial run, and all the neighbors went to support it—business was surprisingly good.

Usage Guide

Context: social obligation, entertainment, friendship, business

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 同事新书发布会，大家都抽空去捧场，表达对她多年努力的支持与认可。(Everyone made time to attend their colleague's book launch to show support and recognition for her years of hard work.)
• 这家小剧场每逢新剧首演，剧团的老朋友们都会前来捧场，用实际行动支持本土戏剧的发展。(Whenever this small theatre premieres a new play, the theatre company's old friends come to show their support, backing the development of local drama through concrete action.)

Don't Say

• 他捧场得很好 — 捧场 is a verb, not modified by 得很好; say 他很给面子，专程来捧场 or simply 他来捧场了

Origin & History

捧 (hold up/support) + 场 (venue/scene) — to hold up the scene for a performer by showing up

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal