Meaning
喜宴 refers to the formal celebratory banquet held for a wedding, typically featuring multiple courses of food and toasts. It is a central part of Chinese wedding customs, where family and friends gather to celebrate the newlyweds. The banquet usually takes place in a restaurant or hotel banquet hall.
Usage
喜宴 is used in formal and informal contexts when discussing wedding celebrations. It specifically refers to the meal/feast aspect of the wedding, not the ceremony itself. Common phrases include 参加喜宴 (to attend a wedding banquet) and 办喜宴 (to host a wedding banquet). In modern usage, it encompasses the entire reception event.
Examples
- 01我们下个月要参加表哥的喜宴。.We're going to attend my cousin's wedding banquet next month.
- 02他们在五星级酒店办了一场盛大的喜宴。.They held a grand wedding banquet at a five-star hotel.
Characters
Measure words
- 场一场喜宴
- 桌摆了二十桌喜宴
Common collocations
- 参加喜宴to attend a wedding banquet
- 办喜宴to host a wedding banquet
- 喜宴酒席wedding banquet tables
- 举行喜宴to hold a wedding banquet
Origin
The word combines 喜 (joy, happiness) with 宴 (banquet), literally meaning 'joyous banquet.' The character 喜 often appears in wedding-related terms because weddings are considered 喜事 (happy occasions).