拜见

• Pinyin: bài jiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 拜 = 手 (hand) + 二 (two); 见 = to see/meet

Meaning

To pay respects to; to have an audience with (a superior or elder).

A humble and respectful term for meeting someone of higher status, such as elders, masters, or dignitaries. Implies deference and formality. Common in historical dramas and traditional contexts.

Examples

1. 新员工入职第一天就去拜见了公司的创始人。 On the first day of the job, the new employee went to pay respects to the company founder.
2. 古时候状元及第后要进宫拜见皇帝。 In ancient times, the top scholar had to enter the palace to have an audience with the emperor.
3. 他带着礼物去拜见未来的岳父岳母。 He brought gifts to pay respects to his future parents-in-law.

Usage Guide

Context: traditional, ceremonial

Tone: deferential

Do Say

• 弟子拜见师父。(The disciple pays respects to the master.)
• 我特来拜见老先生。(I have come especially to pay my respects to you, sir.)

Don't Say

• 对同辈或晚辈用'拜见' (Don't use 拜见 when meeting peers or juniors — it implies deference to a superior)

Origin & History

拜 (to bow/pay respects) + 见 (to see/meet). Meeting with respectful bowing.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal