noun HSK 3
Traditional 辦公室
bàn gōng shì
office · office room

Meaning

办公室 refers to a physical office space where people work, handle business matters, and conduct administrative tasks. It can refer to a single room, a suite of rooms, or an entire office environment where professional work takes place.

Usage

This is a common, neutral term used in both formal and informal contexts. Native speakers use it to refer to their workplace, a specific office room, or an administrative department. It's often used with location words like 在办公室 (at the office) or possessives like 我的办公室 (my office).

Examples

  1. 01
    他每天早上八点到办公室
    měi tiān zǎo shang diǎn dào bàn gōng shì.
    He arrives at the office at 8 AM every day.
  2. 02
    我们的办公室在三楼。
    men de bàn gōng shì zài sān lóu.
    Our office is on the third floor.

Characters

Measure words

  • jiān一间办公室
  • 一个办公室

Common collocations

  • 办公室
    zài bàn gōng shì
    at the office
  • 办公室主任
    bàn gōng shì zhǔ rèn
    office director
  • 办公室
    huí bàn gōng shì
    return to the office
  • 办公室工作
    bàn gōng shì gōng zuò
    office work

Origin

The word literally means 'handle-public-room,' combining 办 (to handle/manage), 公 (public/official affairs), and 室 (room), clearly describing a room for handling official business.

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