verb HSK 5
Traditional 接見
jiē jiàn
to receive (a visitor) · to grant an audience · to meet with (formally)

Meaning

接见 means to formally receive or meet with someone, typically used when a person of higher status or authority meets with visitors, guests, or subordinates. It carries a formal, often official tone and is commonly seen in diplomatic, political, or organizational contexts.

Usage

This word is primarily used in formal contexts when describing meetings between officials and visitors, leaders and delegations, or supervisors and subordinates. It implies the person doing the 接见 holds a position of authority or status. In everyday conversation, people would more commonly use 见面 (jiànmiàn) for casual meetings.

Examples

  1. 01
    总统在人民大会堂接见了外国使节。
    Zǒngtǒng zài Rénmín Dàhuìtáng jiējiàn le wàiguó shǐjié.
    The president received foreign envoys at the Great Hall of the People.
  2. 02
    校长今天下午接见了优秀学生代表。
    Xiàozhǎng jīntiān xiàwǔ jiējiàn le yōuxiù xuésheng dàibiǎo.
    The principal received outstanding student representatives this afternoon.

Characters

Measure words

  • 接见了三次代表团

Common collocations

  • 接见外宾
    jiē jiàn wài bīn
    to receive foreign guests
  • 接见代表团
    jiē jiàn dài biǎo tuán
    to receive a delegation
  • 接见记者
    jiē jiàn zhě
    to receive journalists

Origin

The word combines 接 (to receive/welcome) and 见 (to see/meet), literally meaning 'to receive and see,' which naturally evolved to mean formally receiving visitors or granting an audience.

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