会见

• Pinyin: huì jiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 会 = 人 (person) + 云 (cloud, phonetic), originally people gathering; 见 = 目 (eye) on legs, to see

Meaning

To meet with; to receive. A formal meeting, especially between officials or important figures.

More formal than 见面 (meet). Used for diplomatic meetings, official receptions, lawyer-client meetings, or scheduled meetings with VIPs. Common collocations: 会见外宾 (meet with foreign guests), 会见记者 (meet with reporters), 律师会见 (lawyer-client meeting). Often appears in news about state leaders.

Examples

1. 国家主席今天下午在人民大会堂会见了来访的外国元首。 The President met with the visiting foreign head of state at the Great Hall of the People this afternoon.
2. 被拘留后，他终于获得了与律师会见的机会。 After being detained, he finally got the chance to meet with his lawyer.
3. 董事长亲自会见了这批重要客户，显示了公司的诚意。 The chairman personally met with this group of important clients, demonstrating the company's sincerity.

Usage Guide

Context: diplomacy, legal, business

Tone: official

Do Say

• 总理将会见来访代表团。(The Premier will meet with the visiting delegation.)
• 请安排我会见负责人。(Please arrange for me to meet with the person in charge.)

Don't Say

• 朋友聚会用会见 (Don't use 会见 for meeting friends — use 见面 or 聚一下; 会见 is too formal and official)

Origin & History

Compound of 会 (meet, gather) + 见 (see). Implies a planned, formal encounter rather than a casual meeting.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal