[General] take part in a birthday party?

[maoyueh]

I know it is natural to say "I attended/went to her birthday party yesterday." Would you please tell me why it is improper to say "I took part in her birthday party yesterday"? Thank you.

I asked because the literal translation from Chinese into English is "take part in a birthday/dinner party," which is unnatural in English. Is it simply because language is arbitrary? Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I know it is natural to say "I attended/went to her birthday party yesterday." Would you please tell me why it is improper to say "I took part in her birthday party yesterday"? Thank you.

I asked because the literal translation from Chinese into English is "take part in a birthday/dinner party," which is unnatural in English. Is it simply because language is arbitrary? Please correct me if I am wrong.

I would say it is not incorrect, but it is uncommon.

 

[Tdol]

Is it simply because language is arbitrary?

Yes- collocations are formed by copying what other people say- the reason not to use is that most people don't.