Definition
会馆 historically refers to a guild hall or provincial/county guild, a social club built by migrants from the same region or trade in imperial China. It served as a gathering place for mutual aid, cultural events, and lodging. In modern usage, the term extends to any clubhouse or association venue (e.g., alumni hall, embassy club). The English 'guild hall' only partially captures the social and regional nature, so context matters.
n.
guild hall (historical regional or trade association building)clubhouseassociation hall (modern, e.g., alumni or embassy venue)
Examples
- 会馆，。Zhè zuò huì jiàn yú Qīngcháo, shì tóngxiāng shāngrén jùhuì de dìfang.This guild hall was built in the Qing Dynasty as a meeting place for merchants from the same hometown.
- 。Xiàoyǒu huì měi nián dōu huì jǔbàn qiūjì wǎnhuì.The alumni association hall holds an autumn party every year.
- 会馆。Tāmen wèi liúxuéshēng shèlì le wénhuà huì.They set up a cultural center for international students.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.