bàn wán: 办完 - To Finish, To Complete (a task)

• Keywords: ban wan, 办完, finish in Chinese, complete a task in Chinese, Chinese result complement, ban wan meaning, 办完 vs 完成, 办完 vs 做完, Chinese grammar, learning Chinese, HSK 3 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn how to use “办完” (bàn wán), a fundamental Chinese term that means “to finish handling” or “to complete a task.” This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage with dozens of examples. Discover the key difference between 办完 (bàn wán), 完成 (wánchéng), and 做完 (zuò wán) to express completion like a native speaker, whether you're finishing paperwork, running an errand, or getting a task done.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bàn wán
• Part of Speech: Verb Phrase (Verb + Result Complement)
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To finish handling or completing a specific task or procedure.
• In a Nutshell: “办完” is the quintessential phrase for checking an item off your to-do list in Chinese. It combines “办” (bàn), meaning “to handle” or “to manage,” with “完” (wán), meaning “to finish.” This isn't just about something ending; it's about actively seeing a task or process through to its conclusion. Think of it as the satisfying feeling of “getting something done,” especially if it involves an errand, paperwork, or any kind of procedure.

• 办 (bàn): This character means “to do,” “to handle,” or “to manage.” It often implies dealing with tasks or official business. You see it in words like 办公室 (bàngōngshì - office) and 办法 (bànfǎ - method). It carries a sense of process and management.
• 完 (wán): This character simply means “to finish” or “to be complete.” It's one of the most common result complements in Chinese, indicating that the action of the verb preceding it has been brought to a successful conclusion.
• How they combine: By putting them together, `办 (to handle) + 完 (to finish)` creates a specific meaning: “to finish handling” or “to complete the process of.” It emphasizes that an action-oriented task has reached its endpoint.

While “办完” isn't a deep philosophical term, it is deeply embedded in the practicalities of daily life in China. Modern life, both in China and elsewhere, involves a lot of procedures, or 手续 (shǒuxù). Whether it's renewing a visa, opening a bank account, registering for a service, or applying for a permit, these tasks need to be “handled” and “completed.” “办完” perfectly captures this goal-oriented mindset. It reflects a cultural value of pragmatism and efficiency in managing one's affairs. The satisfaction of getting something “办完” is a universal feeling, but the term is particularly relevant in a society where bureaucratic processes can sometimes be complex. Comparison to Western Concepts: In English, we might say “I'm done,” “I finished it,” or “I took care of it.” “办完” is closest to “I took care of it” or “I got it done.” Unlike the general English word “finish,” which can apply to watching a movie or eating dinner, “办完” is almost exclusively used for tasks that require action and handling. You wouldn't say you “办完” a movie; you would say you `看完` (kàn wán - finished watching) it. This specificity makes “办完” a precise and practical tool in daily communication.

“办完” is an extremely common, everyday term used in both formal and informal situations. It's neutral in tone and universally understood.

• Daily Errands: You use it when talking about finishing any kind of errand.
  • “I need to go to the bank to get some things done.” → 我要去银行办点事。 (Wǒ yào qù yínháng bàn diǎn shì.)
  • “Once I'm done, I'll call you.” → 我办完了就给你打电话。(Wǒ bàn wán le jiù gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà.)
• Work and Official Business: It is the standard term for completing paperwork or official procedures.
  • “Have you finished the visa application process?” → 签证你办完了吗？ (Qiānzhèng nǐ bàn wán le ma?)
• Asking About Progress: It's frequently used in questions to check if someone has completed their task.
  • “Are you done yet? We're waiting for you.” → 你办完了没有？我们都在等你。 (Nǐ bàn wán le méiyǒu? Wǒmen dōu zài děng nǐ.)

• Example 1:
  • 我今天必须办完这件事。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān bìxū bàn wán zhè jiàn shì.
  • English: I must get this matter finished today.
  • Analysis: A simple, direct statement of intent. “这件事” (this matter) is a classic object for “办完”.
• Example 2:
  • 你银行的业务办完了吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yínháng de yèwù bàn wán le ma?
  • English: Are you done with your business at the bank?
  • Analysis: A very common question when waiting for someone running errands. “业务” (yèwù - business/service) refers to the specific tasks you do at a place like a bank or a government office.
• Example 3:
  • 他去办完入学手续就回来。
  • Pinyin: Tā qù bàn wán rùxué shǒuxù jiù huílái.
  • English: He will come back as soon as he finishes the school enrollment procedures.
  • Analysis: This shows the common collocation of “办完” with “手续” (shǒuxù - procedures).
• Example 4:
  • 别着急，等你办完了我们再走。
  • Pinyin: Bié zhāojí, děng nǐ bàn wán le wǒmen zài zǒu.
  • English: Don't worry, we'll leave after you're finished.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates “办完” used in a time clause (“after you're finished”). The “了” (le) emphasizes the completion of the action.
• Example 5:
  • 这点儿小事，我很快就能办完。
  • Pinyin: Zhè diǎnr xiǎoshì, wǒ hěn kuài jiù néng bàn wán.
  • English: This is just a small thing, I can get it done very quickly.
  • Analysis: Highlights its use for minor tasks or “小事” (xiǎoshì - small matter).
• Example 6:
  • 事情还没办完，我不能下班。
  • Pinyin: Shìqing hái méi bàn wán, wǒ bùnéng xiàbān.
  • English: I can't get off work yet, the task isn't finished.
  • Analysis: This is the negative form. To say something is *not* finished, you use “没” (méi) or “还没” (hái méi) before “办完”.
• Example 7:
  • 护照更新的手续终于办完了！
  • Pinyin: Hùzhào gēngxīn de shǒuxù zhōngyú bàn wán le!
  • English: The passport renewal process is finally done!
  • Analysis: The use of “终于” (zhōngyú - finally) perfectly captures the feeling of relief after completing a long or tedious procedure.
• Example 8:
  • 你先把自己的事办完，然后再来帮我。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xiān bǎ zìjǐ de shì bàn wán, ránhòu zài lái bāng wǒ.
  • English: First finish your own things, and then come help me.
  • Analysis: This uses the “把” (bǎ) structure to emphasize the object (“your own things”) being handled and completed.
• Example 9:
  • 他花了一整个下午才办完所有手续。
  • Pinyin: Tā huāle yī zhěnggè xiàwǔ cái bàn wán suǒyǒu shǒuxù.
  • English: He spent the entire afternoon to finally get all the procedures done.
  • Analysis: “才” (cái) here implies that the process took longer than expected.
• Example 10:
  • 办完事以后，我们一起去吃饭吧。
  • Pinyin: Bàn wán shì yǐhòu, wǒmen yīqǐ qù chīfàn ba.
  • English: After we finish our errands, let's go eat together.
  • Analysis: Shows how “办完事” (bàn wán shì - to finish errands/business) can function as a clause to set up the next action.

The most common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing “办完” from other words that also mean “to finish.”

• 办完 (bàn wán) vs. 完成 (wánchéng):
  • 办完 (bàn wán): Emphasizes completing a process or task, especially an errand or procedure. It's about the action of handling something until it's done.
  • 完成 (wánchéng): More formal and broader. It means “to accomplish” or “to complete,” often used for larger projects, goals, missions, or creative works. It focuses on the final result being achieved.
  • Example: You 办完 your visa application (a procedure). The team 完成 a major project (an accomplishment). You can say “完成任务” (wánchéng rènwù - complete a mission), but “办完任务” sounds odd.
• 办完 (bàn wán) vs. 做完 (zuò wán):
  • 办完 (bàn wán): Implies “handling” or “managing” a task. It's used for errands, paperwork, and official matters.
  • 做完 (zuò wán): A more general term for “to finish doing” something. It's often used for homework, chores, or any physical action.
  • Example: You 做完作业 (zuò wán zuòyè - finish doing your homework). You 办完手续 (bàn wán shǒuxù - finish the procedures). Using “做完手续” is less common and less precise.
• Common Mistake: Using “办完” for passive experiences.
  • Incorrect: 我办完了那部电影。(Wǒ bàn wán le nà bù diànyǐng.)
  • Why it's wrong: You don't “handle” or “process” a movie. You watch it.
  • Correct: 我看完了那部电影。(Wǒ kàn wán le nà bù diànyǐng. - I finished watching that movie.)

• 完成 (wánchéng) - A more formal synonym for “to accomplish” or “complete,” used for larger projects and goals.
• 做完 (zuò wán) - A more general term meaning “to finish doing,” often used for homework or manual tasks.
• 办 (bàn) - The core verb meaning “to do, to handle, to manage.”
• 完 (wán) - The result complement meaning “finished, done.”
• 办事 (bànshì) - A common verb-object phrase meaning “to handle matters” or “to run errands.”
• 手续 (shǒuxù) - The noun for “procedures” or “formalities,” a frequent object of “办完”.
• 办理 (bànlǐ) - A more formal, two-character verb for “to handle” or “to process,” often seen in written instructions (e.g., 办理签证 - process a visa).
• 结束 (jiéshù) - Means “to end” or “to conclude.” It's used for events, relationships, or periods of time, not tasks (e.g., 会议结束了 - The meeting has ended).