办公 (bàn gōng) literally means 'to handle public affairs', but in modern usage it specifically refers to the act of working in an office environment — such as attending meetings, using computers, managing documents, or collaborating with colleagues during regular business hours. The character 办 (bàn) means 'to handle' or 'to manage', while 公 (gōng) originally meant 'public' or 'official', reflecting its historical roots in administrative or governmental work.

Today, 办公 is commonly used as a verb in both formal and informal contexts — for example, when describing someone’s daily job activities, remote work arrangements, or office-related logistics. It often appears in phrases like 办公室 (office), 办公时间 (office hours), or 远程办公 (remote work). Unlike more general verbs like 工作 (to work), 办公 emphasizes the office-based, white-collar nature of the work and implies routine, structured professional activity.