迎接

• Pinyin: yíng jiē
• Hanzi breakdown: 迎 = 辶 (walk) + 卬 (to face); 接 = 扌(手) (hand) + 妾 (phonetic)

Meaning

To welcome; to greet; to meet. Used when going to receive or greet someone arriving.

Implies actively going to meet or receive someone, often at an airport, station, or entrance. Also used figuratively to mean embracing or facing something new, such as challenges or a new year.

Examples

1. 我们去机场迎接从国外回来的朋友。 We went to the airport to welcome our friend returning from abroad.
2. 全家人都出来迎接远道而来的客人。 The whole family came out to greet the guests who had travelled from far away.
3. 让我们一起迎接新的一年。 Let's welcome the new year together.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, hospitality, celebrations

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 我去车站迎接他。(I'm going to the station to meet him.)
• 大家准备迎接新学期的到来。(Everyone is preparing to welcome the new semester.)

Don't Say

• 我在家里迎接了电视。(Don't use 迎接 for inanimate objects in literal contexts — it implies greeting people or embracing abstract concepts)

Origin & History

迎 (to welcome, to meet) + 接 (to receive, to connect). Together they emphasize the act of going forward to meet and receive someone.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal