Meaning
接听 means to answer or pick up a phone call. The word combines 接 (to receive/connect) and 听 (to listen), literally meaning to receive and listen. It specifically refers to the action of answering when someone calls you, whether on a mobile phone, landline, or other communication device.
Usage
接听 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when talking about answering phone calls. It's often seen in phrases like 接听电话 (to answer the phone) or 无法接听 (unable to answer). In customer service and business contexts, it's the standard term for receiving calls. Native speakers use it more formally than colloquial expressions like 接电话.
Examples
- 01对不起，我现在不方便接听电话。, .Sorry, it's not convenient for me to answer the phone right now.
- 02他正在开会，无法接听您的来电。, .He is in a meeting and unable to answer your call.
Characters
Measure words
- 个接听了三个电话
- 通接听一通电话
Common collocations
- 接听电话to answer the phone
- 无法接听unable to answer
- 接听来电to answer incoming calls
- 暂时无法接听temporarily unable to answer
Antonyms
Origin
The compound emerged from combining the action of receiving/connecting (接) with listening (听), reflecting the two-step process of answering a call: first connecting the line, then listening to the caller.