接见

• Pinyin: jiē jiàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 接 = to receive, connect; 见 = 目 (eye) + 儿 — to see, meet

Meaning

To receive visitors; to grant an audience. A formal meeting with someone of higher status receiving guests.

A formal term typically used when someone of higher status or authority meets with others. Common in diplomatic, political, and official contexts. Implies the receiver is in a position of authority — the president receiving foreign guests, a CEO meeting employees, etc.

Examples

1. 总统在官邸接见了来访的外国使节。 The president received visiting foreign diplomats at the official residence.
2. 董事长每周三下午接见基层员工代表。 The chairman receives representatives of frontline employees every Wednesday afternoon.
3. 这位老艺术家很少接见媒体记者。 This veteran artist rarely grants interviews to media reporters.

Usage Guide

Context: diplomatic, official, business

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 市长接见了劳动模范代表。(The mayor received representatives of model workers.)
• 他被获准接见外国记者。(He was permitted to receive foreign journalists.)

Don't Say

• 用'接见'描述朋友间的见面 (Don't use 接见 for casual meetings between friends — it implies a hierarchy; use 见面 or 会面 instead)

Origin & History

Composed of 接 (to receive; to welcome) + 见 (to see; to meet). The combination emphasizes the receiving party's role in granting the meeting.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Formal contexts