pěngchǎng: 捧场 - To Support (by attending), To Patronize, To Cheer On

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• Summary: Learn the meaning of 捧场 (pěngchǎng), a key Chinese cultural term that goes beyond simple “support.” Discover how this word, meaning to patronize a business or attend an event for a friend, is a vital act of showing respect, giving “face” (`面子`), and strengthening relationships in China. This guide breaks down its characters, cultural significance, and practical use in modern conversation, helping you understand when to use `捧场` versus `支持`.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): pěngchǎng
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To support or honor someone by being physically present at their performance, event, or place of business.
• In a Nutshell: `捧场` literally means “to hold up the stage.” Imagine your friend is opening a new café or performing in a play. Your act of showing up, being part of the crowd, and creating a lively atmosphere is `捧场`. It's a visible, active form of support that says, “I'm here for you, and I want you to succeed.” It's less about the money you spend and more about the gesture of your presence.

• 捧 (pěng): This character is about holding something with respect. It's composed of the “hand” radical `手 (shǒu)` and `奉 (fèng)`, which means “to offer up respectfully.” Together, they mean “to hold or carry in both hands.” Think of捧a trophy or a precious gift.
• 场 (chǎng): This character is about a location or scene. It's composed of the “earth” radical `土 (tǔ)` and a phonetic component. It means “a field, a scene, or a stage.” Think of a sports field (`球场 qiúchǎng`) or a market (`市场 shìchǎng`).

When combined, `捧场 (pěngchǎng)` creates a vivid image: using your presence to “hold up” or “boost” someone's “stage” or “scene.” You are personally contributing to their success and atmosphere.

`捧场` is deeply embedded in the Chinese concepts of `面子 (miànzi)` (face/social prestige) and `人情 (rénqíng)` (human favor/relationships). When you `捧场` for someone, you are directly `给面子 (gěi miànzi)` (giving them face). A packed grand opening or a full audience makes the host look successful, respected, and popular. Your attendance is a public declaration of your relationship and respect for that person. Conversely, a lack of people coming to `捧场` can cause a huge loss of face. This act is not just a one-off gesture; it's part of the web of `人情`. If a friend comes to `捧场` at your event, you now owe them a social favor. You are expected to reciprocate by supporting them in the future. Comparison to Western Culture: In the West, you might say, “I'll come to your show to support you.” `捧场` is the specific noun/verb for that *act* of supportive attendance. While we “patronize” businesses, `捧场` feels much more personal and relational. Patronizing a store is often a neutral economic transaction. To `捧场` at a friend's store is a deliberate act of social bonding. It's the difference between “going to a new restaurant” and “going to my friend's new restaurant *on opening night to help them succeed*.”

`捧场` is used frequently in daily life, in both literal and figurative ways. 1. Attending Events and Performances: This is the most classic usage.

• You go to a friend's concert, art exhibition, or graduation ceremony. Your main reason for being there is to support them.

2. Supporting a New Business:

• When a friend or acquaintance opens a shop, restaurant, or any business, it is almost a social obligation for their network to go and `捧场` during the opening days. This helps create buzz and makes the business look popular from the start.

3. As a Polite or Humble Response:

• `捧场` can be used figuratively to mean “flattery” or “saying kind words.” If someone compliments your cooking, you can humbly deflect by saying, “谢谢你捧场” (Thank you for your “support”/kind words). It implies, “You're just being nice because you're my guest.”
• Someone might say, “你太会捧场了!” (Nǐ tài huì pěngchǎng le!), meaning “You're too good at flattering me!” or “You're such a great supporter!”

Example 1:

• 我朋友今天晚上有演唱会，我得去给他捧场。
• Pinyin: Wǒ péngyǒu jīntiān wǎnshàng yǒu yǎnchànghuì, wǒ děi qù gěi tā pěngchǎng.
• English: My friend has a concert tonight, I have to go support him.
• Analysis: This is the most direct and common use of the term. The speaker is going specifically to support the friend.

Example 2:

• 王老板的饭店新开张，咱们改天一起去给他捧场吧！
• Pinyin: Wáng lǎobǎn de fàndiàn xīn kāizhāng, zánmen gǎitiān yīqǐ qù gěi tā pěngchǎng ba!
• English: Boss Wang's restaurant just opened, let's go together another day to support him!
• Analysis: A classic example of supporting a new business. The act of going is framed as a social duty to support the owner.

Example 3:

• A: 你做的菜太好吃了！ B: 哪里哪里，谢谢你来捧场。
• Pinyin: A: Nǐ zuò de cài tài hǎochī le! B: Nǎlǐ nǎlǐ, xièxiè nǐ lái pěngchǎng.
• English: A: The food you made is so delicious! B: Not at all, thank you for coming to “support” me (i.e., for coming to eat).
• Analysis: Here, `捧场` is used humbly. The host treats the guest's presence and praise as a form of support, downplaying their own cooking skills.

Example 4:

• 今天的发布会来了很多记者捧场，非常成功。
• Pinyin: Jīntiān de fābùhuì lái le hěn duō jìzhě pěngchǎng, fēicháng chénggōng.
• English: Many journalists came to support the press conference today, it was very successful.
• Analysis: This shows how `捧场` contributes to the success of an event. The presence of important people (journalists) gives the event credibility and “face.”

Example 5:

• 你不用特地来给我捧场，太麻烦你了。
• Pinyin: Nǐ bùyòng tèdì lái gěi wǒ pěngchǎng, tài máfan nǐ le.
• English: You don't have to make a special trip to come support me, it's too much trouble for you.
• Analysis: A polite way to tell someone not to go out of their way, while still acknowledging the significance of the gesture.

Example 6:

• A: 你这个新发型真帅！ B: 你就别捧场了，我自己觉得很奇怪。
• Pinyin: A: Nǐ zhège xīn fàxíng zhēn shuài! B: Nǐ jiù bié pěngchǎng le, wǒ zìjǐ juédé hěn qíguài.
• English: A: Your new hairstyle is so handsome! B: Stop flattering me, I think it's weird myself.
• Analysis: Here, `捧场` is used to mean “flatter” or “just being nice.” The speaker thinks the compliment is not genuine but is just a form of social politeness.

Example 7:

• 他在圈子里人缘很好，所以画展第一天就有很多朋友来捧场。
• Pinyin: Tā zài quānzi lǐ rényuán hěn hǎo, suǒyǐ huàzhǎn dì yī tiān jiù yǒu hěn duō péngyǒu lái pěngchǎng.
• English: He is very popular in his circle, so many friends came to support his art exhibition on the very first day.
• Analysis: This sentence explicitly links good relationships (`人缘好`) with the act of `捧场`.

Example 8:

• 谢谢大家来捧场我的小店，全场八折！
• Pinyin: Xièxiè dàjiā lái pěngchǎng wǒ de xiǎo diàn, quán chǎng bā zhé!
• English: Thank you everyone for coming to support my little shop, everything is 20% off!
• Analysis: A phrase a shop owner might say. They are thanking customers for their patronage, using a word that emphasizes relationship over a simple transaction.

Example 9:

• 没人捧场的演出是最尴尬的。
• Pinyin: Méi rén pěngchǎng de yǎnchū shì zuì gāngà de.
• English: A performance with no one in the audience to support it is the most awkward thing.
• Analysis: This shows the negative consequence or the fear of not having anyone to `捧场`. It highlights the importance of the concept.

Example 10:

• 我来给你捧个人场，祝你开业大吉！
• Pinyin: Wǒ lái gěi nǐ pěng ge rén chǎng, zhù nǐ kāiyè dàjí!
• English: I've come to personally support you (lit: boost your human field), wishing you great success on your opening!
• Analysis: Here, `捧场` is split into a verb-object phrase `捧个人场` (pěng ge rén chǎng), which literally means “to boost a human field/atmosphere.” This is a very common and authentic way of speaking.

• `捧场 (pěngchǎng)` vs. `支持 (zhīchí)`: This is the most common point of confusion.
  • `支持 (zhīchí)` is broad, general “support.” It can be abstract, emotional, financial, or political. (e.g., “I support your decision,” “I support this charity.”)
  • `捧场 (pěngchǎng)` is specific, physical “support.” It almost always means showing up in person to an event or business to lend your presence.
  • Incorrect: 我捧场你的想法。 (Wǒ pěngchǎng nǐ de xiǎngfǎ.) → This is wrong. An idea is abstract.
  • Correct: 我支持你的想法。 (Wǒ zhīchí nǐ de xiǎngfǎ.) → “I support your idea.”
  • Correct: 我明天去你的画展给你捧场，用行动支持你。 (Wǒ míngtiān qù nǐ de huàzhǎn gěi nǐ pěngchǎng, yòng xíngdòng zhīchí nǐ.) → “I'll go to your art exhibition tomorrow to `捧场` for you, supporting you with my actions.”
• “Patronize” as a False Friend: While you can `捧场` a business (i.e., patronize it), the English word “patronize” also carries a negative meaning of “to be condescending.” `捧场` is never condescending. It is always a gesture of respect, friendship, or politeness.

• 支持 (zhīchí) - The general, broad term for “to support.” `捧场` is one specific type of `支持`.
• 给面子 (gěi miànzi) - “To give face.” The primary social outcome of `捧场`. Coming to an event is giving the host face.
• 面子 (miànzi) - “Face”; social prestige, honor, and reputation. The reason `捧场` is so culturally important.
• 人情 (rénqíng) - A social favor or human relationship debt. `捧场` is an act that builds, maintains, or repays `人情`.
• 加油 (jiāyóu) - “Go for it!”; “Come on!” A verbal form of encouragement you might shout while you are at an event to `捧场`.
• 光临 (guānglín) - “To grace with one's presence.” A very polite term used by a host to welcome a guest (e.g., `欢迎光临` - Welcome!). A guest goes to `捧场`; the host welcomes their `光临`.
• 捧红 (pěnghóng) - To make someone famous (lit. “to boost until red/popular”). Uses the same character `捧` to mean actively promoting someone to stardom.
• 捧杀 (pěngshā) - To “kill with praise”; to harm someone through excessive and insincere flattery, causing them to become arrogant and then fail. This is the dark side of the concept of `捧`.