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B1 verb 9 min read

约见

yuē jiàn

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 约见 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 约见 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to meet people. While '约见' (yuējiàn) might be a bit advanced for a total beginner, you can understand it by breaking it down. '约' (yuē) is like 'making a plan,' and '见' (jiàn) is 'to see.' So, '约见' is a formal way to say 'I have a plan to see someone.' At this level, you mostly use '见' (jiàn), like '见老师' (see the teacher). You might hear '约见' in a classroom if a teacher says they want to '约见' your parents. It's a 'grown-up' word for meeting. Just remember: '约' + '见' = 'Planned Meeting.' You don't need to use it often yet, but recognizing it will help you understand that a meeting is being scheduled, not just happening by accident.

At the A2 level, you are learning to handle basic social and work situations. '约见' (yuējiàn) becomes useful when you need to talk about appointments. Instead of just saying 'I want to see the boss' (我想见老板), using '约见' (我想约见老板) makes you sound more polite and organized. It shows you understand that the boss is busy and you need to arrange a time. You will see this word in simple work emails or when making an appointment at a school office. A key thing to learn at A2 is the word order: [Person A] + 约见 + [Person B]. It is a direct action. You are 'scheduling to see' someone. Practice using it when you talk about professional people like doctors, teachers, or managers.

At the B1 level, you should be able to distinguish between different types of meetings. '约见' (yuējiàn) is a key vocabulary word for this level because it bridges the gap between casual conversation and professional Chinese. You use it when the meeting has a specific purpose—like an interview, a business negotiation, or a formal discussion. You should also start to notice how it's used in the passive voice in news reports (e.g., 'The manager was summoned/met with'). At B1, you can use '约见' to describe your daily schedule in a professional way: 'Today I have arranged to meet three clients' (今天我约见了三位客户). This level also requires you to avoid confusing it with '约会' (a romantic date), which is a common B1-level mistake.

At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the nuances of '约见' (yuējiàn) in various professional and official contexts. You should recognize that '约见' often implies a certain hierarchy or a formal request. For instance, in a corporate setting, a senior executive might '约见' a junior staff member. In journalism, a reporter '约见' a source. You should also be comfortable using related terms like '提出约见' (to request a meeting) or '拒绝约见' (to refuse a meeting). At this level, you should be able to explain the difference between '约见', '会面', and '约谈' in Chinese. Your usage should reflect an understanding of 'mianzi' (face) and professional etiquette, knowing that '约见' is the standard term for respectful, pre-arranged professional encounters.

At the C1 level, you use '约见' (yuējiàn) with precision in complex business and political discussions. You understand its role in diplomatic language—where '约见' can be a formal diplomatic gesture, such as a foreign ministry summoning an ambassador to lodge a protest. You are also aware of its use in legal and regulatory contexts, where '约见' might be the first step in an official investigation (often overlapping with '约谈'). At C1, you can use the word in written reports and high-level negotiations, and you understand the subtle emotional or political weight it carries depending on who is doing the '约见'-ing. You can also use it metaphorically or in literature to describe a long-awaited or significant encounter between two important figures.

At the C2 level, '约见' (yuējiàn) is a tool for navigating the highest levels of Chinese society and professional life. You have a native-like grasp of its connotations. You understand that the choice of '约见' over '会见' or '接见' communicates specific power dynamics and levels of formality. You can use it in academic writing about social structures or in high-level corporate strategy documents. You are also sensitive to the historical and cultural evolution of the word, recognizing how it appears in classical-style modern prose or high-stakes political thrillers. For a C2 learner, '约见' is not just a verb; it's a marker of social navigation, used to manage complex relationships and official procedures with perfect linguistic and cultural tone.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

约见 in 30 Seconds

约见 is a formal verb meaning to arrange and have a scheduled meeting, typically used in professional, business, or official contexts rather than casual social settings.
The word consists of '约' (appointment) and '见' (to see), emphasizing the pre-planned nature of the encounter and the specific purpose behind the meeting.
Grammatically, it is a transitive verb taking a direct object, and it can also be used in passive forms to imply a formal summons by an authority.
Learners should distinguish it from '约会' (a romantic date) and '见面' (a general meet-up) to maintain appropriate levels of formality and social etiquette.

The Chinese verb 约见 (yuējiàn) is a sophisticated and formal term used to describe the act of arranging a meeting or an appointment with someone. It is composed of two distinct characters: 约 (yuē), which means to make an appointment, to invite, or to bind by agreement, and 见 (jiàn), which means to see or to meet. When combined, they signify a proactive and organized effort to secure a specific time and place for a face-to-face interaction. Unlike the casual 见面 (jiànmiàn), which can happen spontaneously or among friends, 约见 carries a weight of professional intent or social hierarchy.

Professional Context: In the business world, you use 约见 when a manager wants to speak with an employee about a performance review, or when a journalist requests an interview with a public figure. It implies a scheduled slot in a busy calendar.
Diplomatic and Legal Nuance: In international relations, a government might 约见 a foreign ambassador to discuss a specific policy or issue. In this sense, it can sometimes border on a 'summons,' suggesting that the meeting is not just a request but a formal requirement.

总经理打算明天下午约见几位新入职的员工进行谈话。

The general manager plans to arrange a meeting with several new employees tomorrow afternoon for a talk.

Understanding the directionality of 约见 is crucial for learners. Typically, the person who initiates the meeting is the subject of the sentence, and the person they wish to see is the object. Because of its formal nature, it is rarely used for meeting close friends for coffee; using it in such a casual context would sound overly stiff or even humorous, as if you were treating your friend like a business client. However, in the context of dating, a more specific term 约会 (yuēhuì) is used, so be careful not to confuse the two.

Hierarchy: Often used when a superior wants to see a subordinate. If you are a student wanting to see a professor, you might say you want to 约见 the professor to show respect for their time.

这位记者多次尝试约见那位著名企业家，但都被拒绝了。

In modern usage, 约见 has also found a place in digital communication. When using apps like LinkedIn or professional networking platforms, you might send a message to 'request a meeting' (请求约见). This demonstrates your professionalism and respect for the other person's schedule. It is a word that signals you are serious about the interaction and that there is a clear agenda to be discussed. As you move from A2 to B1 and B2 levels, mastering 约见 will help you navigate professional environments in China with much more confidence and linguistic accuracy.

Using 约见 (yuējiàn) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structure and the social context of the meeting. As a transitive verb, it almost always takes a direct object—the person you are arranging to meet. The basic structure is: [Subject] + 约见 + [Object]. However, it is frequently modified by auxiliary verbs like 想 (xiǎng - want to), 打算 (dǎsuàn - plan to), or 已经 (yǐjīng - already) to indicate the status of the arrangement.

我希望能约见您的导师，讨论我的研究计划。

I hope to arrange a meeting with your supervisor to discuss my research plan.

One common pattern is using 约见 in the context of a request. You might see phrases like 提出约见 (tíchū yuējiàn - to propose/request a meeting). This is very common in formal emails and official correspondence. For example, 'The ambassador proposed a meeting with the foreign minister' would be 大使向外长提出了约见. Note that here, 约见 acts almost like a noun, representing the 'meeting request' itself.

Time and Place: When specifying the time, it usually precedes the verb. 他在明天上午约见我 (He is meeting me tomorrow morning). Note that 约见 focuses on the *act* of arranging or the formal encounter, so it doesn't usually take a duration (like 'meeting for two hours').

In passive structures, 约见 is less common but can be seen in news reports: 他被约见了 (He was summoned for a meeting). This often implies that an authority figure, like a regulator or a supervisor, called the person in for a serious discussion. This nuance is vital for understanding Chinese news regarding corporate regulations or political accountability.

因为违规操作，该公司的负责人被监管部门约见了。

To make your Chinese sound more natural, use 约见 when there is a clear purpose. If you are just meeting a friend to hang out, stick to 见个面 or 聚聚. If you are meeting a potential business partner, a doctor for a consultation, or a teacher for a private lesson, 约见 is the perfect choice to convey your serious intent and respect for the formal nature of the appointment. It elevates your speech from basic communication to professional fluency.

You will encounter 约见 (yuējiàn) in several key environments that define modern professional life in China. The most common place is within the corporate office. When HR wants to discuss a contract, or when a CEO wants to talk to a department head, the term used in internal memos or calendar invites is often 约见. It signals that this isn't just a casual chat by the water cooler; it's a scheduled event that requires preparation.

Media and Journalism: Journalists frequently use this word when describing their attempts to get an interview. 'We have been trying to 约见 the spokesperson for weeks' (我们已经连续几周尝试约见发言人). It highlights the effort involved in securing time with a high-profile individual.

新闻频道报道称，总统将约见各界代表听取意见。

Another significant area is the news, specifically regarding 'regulatory interviews.' In China, when the government wants to warn a company about its practices (such as anti-monopoly issues or data privacy), they 'summon' the executives. The official term for this is 约谈 (yuētán), which is a close cousin of 约见. However, 约见 is still used for the physical act of the meeting. Hearing this on CCTV or reading it in the People's Daily usually indicates a serious legal or administrative procedure is underway.

In academic settings, students use it to describe office hours or private consultations with their professors. 'I need to 约见 my professor to talk about my thesis' (我需要约见教授谈谈我的论文). This shows a high level of respect. You might also hear it in medical contexts, where a specialist might 约见 a patient to discuss sensitive test results. Essentially, anywhere a formal appointment is made to discuss a specific, often serious, topic, 约见 is the operative word. Even in literature and TV dramas, a character might say, 'I have an appointment to see the chairman' (我约见了董事长), to show their social status or the importance of their mission.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with 约见 (yuējiàn) is using it for casual social gatherings. Because 'meet' is the primary translation in many dictionaries, learners often say 我想约见你喝咖啡 (I want to arrange a meeting with you to drink coffee). While grammatically correct, it sounds bizarrely formal—like you're asking your friend to submit a proposal for the coffee outing. Instead, use 约 (yuē) or 见面 (jiànmiàn) for friends.

Mistake: Confusing with 约会 (yuēhuì): This is a classic 'false friend' trap. 约会 specifically means 'a date' or a romantic appointment. If you tell your boss 我想和你约会, you are accidentally asking them on a date! Use 约见 for the office.

Incorrect: 我约见朋友去公园玩。 (Too formal)
Correct: 我约朋友去公园玩。

Another error is the sentence structure. Some learners try to use the 跟/和 (gēn/hé) structure which is common with 见面. They might say 我想和你约见. While not entirely wrong in all contexts, it is much more natural to say 我想约见你. 约见 is a transitive verb that directly targets the person. Using 'with' makes it feel like a mutual arrangement, whereas 约见 usually implies one party is initiating the request to see the other.

Finally, don't confuse 约见 with 面试 (miànshì - interview). While you might 约见 someone for a 面试, the words are not interchangeable. 约见 is the act of setting up or having the formal meeting, whereas 面试 is the specific type of meeting (a job interview). Being precise with these terms will make you sound much more like a native speaker and help you avoid awkward social or professional misunderstandings.

To truly master 约见 (yuējiàn), you need to know how it compares to other 'meeting' words in Chinese. The language is very sensitive to formality and the nature of the relationship between the people involved. Here are the most common alternatives and how they differ:

见面 (jiànmiàn) - To Meet: The most general term. It is a 'separable verb' (离合词), so you say 跟他见面. It can be formal or informal, but it lacks the specific 'appointment' nuance of 约见.
会面 (huìmiàn) - To Meet/Confer: Very formal, often used for leaders or high-level officials. It suggests a meeting of equals or a formal conference. You see this in news headlines about presidents meeting.
约会 (yuēhuì) - To Have a Date/Appointment: Primarily used for romantic dates. However, in very formal old-fashioned Chinese, it could mean a general appointment, but in modern Mandarin, avoid using it for business to stay safe.

Comparison:
1. 我想约见市长。 (Formal/Professional)
2. 我想跟朋友见面。 (Casual)
3. 两国首脑在京会面。 (Official/Political)

Another word often confused is 约谈 (yuētán). As mentioned earlier, 约谈 is specifically for 'interviews' or 'talks' initiated by an authority for the purpose of instruction, warning, or investigation. If a teacher calls a student to discuss bad grades, that's 约谈. If the student asks to see the teacher to clarify a lesson, they are 约见 the teacher. Finally, 拜访 (bàifǎng) means 'to pay a visit.' This is very polite and implies you are going to the other person's location (home or office) to show respect or bring a gift. Choosing between these words depends entirely on the power dynamic and the goal of the meeting.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Chinese texts, '约' was often used to describe tying a knot to remember an agreement. '约见' thus literally implies that the meeting is 'tied' to a specific commitment.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ju̯ɛ́ tɕjɛ̂n/

US /ju̯ɛ́ tɕjɛ̂n/

The emphasis is usually slightly stronger on the second syllable 'jiàn' due to the falling tone.

Rhymes With

片 (piàn) 面 (miàn) 电 (diàn) 现 (xiàn) 线 (xiàn) 变 (biàn) 便 (biàn) 念 (niàn)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'yuē' as 'yoo-ay' (it should be a single smooth sound with rounded lips).
Pronouncing 'jiàn' as 'gee-an' (it should be 'j' like in 'jeep' but with the tongue lower, and 'ian' like 'yen').
Mixing up the tones, making it sound like 'yuèjiān' which is incorrect.
Failing to round the lips for the 'u' (ü) sound in 'yuē'.
Shortening the 'ian' sound too much.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are common, but the nuance is intermediate.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct stroke order and understanding of formal contexts.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of 'yuē' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 3/5

Common in news and business contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

见 (jiàn) 约 (yuē) 见面 (jiànmiàn) 时间 (shíjiān) 办公室 (bàngōngshì)

Learn Next

会见 (huìjiàn) 预约 (yùyuē) 约谈 (yuētán) 磋商 (cuōshāng) 谈判 (tánpàn)

Advanced

觐见 (jìnjiàn) 召见 (zhàojiàn) 接见 (jiējiàn) 引见 (yǐnjiàn) 面圣 (miànshèng)

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verb Structure

我约见他。 (NOT 我跟他约见)

Time and Place Adverbials

我明天下午在办公室约见你。

Passive with '被'

他被老板约见了。

Auxiliary Verbs

我想要约见那位专家。

Resultative Complements

我约见到他了。 (I managed to arrange a meeting with him.)

Examples by Level

老师想约见我的爸爸。

The teacher wants to arrange a meeting with my dad.

Subject (Teacher) + 约见 + Object (Dad).

我明天约见一个新朋友。

I arranged to meet a new friend tomorrow.

Simple time word '明天' before the verb.

你想约见谁？

Who do you want to arrange a meeting with?

Interrogative '谁' as the object.

他在办公室约见我。

He is meeting me in the office.

Location '在办公室' before the verb.

我不可以约见他。

I cannot arrange a meeting with him.

Negative '不可以' before the verb.

医生约见我。

The doctor arranged to see me.

Professional context.

我们要约见经理。

We need to arrange a meeting with the manager.

Plural subject '我们'.

请约见他。

Please arrange a meeting with him.

Polite request '请'.

我想约见王经理谈谈工作。

I want to arrange a meeting with Manager Wang to talk about work.

Adding a purpose '谈谈工作' after the object.

你应该先约见他，再写报告。

You should arrange a meeting with him first, then write the report.

Using '先...再...' for sequence.

他已经约见了三位客户。

He has already arranged meetings with three clients.

Aspect marker '已经...了' for completed action.

秘书帮我约见了校长。

The secretary helped me arrange a meeting with the principal.

'帮我' (help me) structure.

我们要约见这个公司的负责人。

We are going to arrange a meeting with the person in charge of this company.

Noun phrase '这个公司的负责人' as object.

你约见他了吗？

Did you arrange a meeting with him?

Question particle '吗'.

我没有时间约见你。

I don't have time to arrange a meeting with you.

Negative '没有时间'.

请帮我约见一下李医生。

Please help me arrange a quick meeting with Dr. Li.

Softener '一下' after the verb.

记者正在约见那位著名的作家进行采访。

The reporter is currently arranging a meeting with that famous author for an interview.

Progressive aspect '正在'.

如果你有问题，可以申请约见教授。

If you have questions, you can apply to arrange a meeting with the professor.

Conditional '如果...可以...'.

因为迟到，他被主任约见了。

Because he was late, he was summoned for a meeting by the director.

Passive voice '被' indicating a summons.

我们希望能约见贵公司的技术专家。

We hope to be able to arrange a meeting with your company's technical experts.

Honorific '贵公司' (your esteemed company).

他拒绝了所有媒体的约见请求。

He rejected all meeting requests from the media.

Noun usage in '约见请求'.

我们需要约见法律顾问来处理这个合同。

We need to arrange a meeting with a legal advisor to handle this contract.

Purpose clause '来处理...'.

他决定约见几位潜在的投资者。

He decided to arrange meetings with several potential investors.

Verb '决定' (decide) + 约见.

在约见之前，请准备好你的简历。

Before the meeting, please have your resume ready.

Time structure '...之前'.

外交部约见了该国驻华大使，就边境问题提出交涉。

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the country's ambassador to China to lodge representations regarding the border issue.

Diplomatic/Official context.

该企业的CEO被监管机构约见，要求其解释财务异常。

The CEO of the enterprise was summoned by the regulatory agency and required to explain financial irregularities.

Complex passive structure.

为了达成协议，双方代表多次约见并交换意见。

In order to reach an agreement, representatives from both sides met many times and exchanged views.

Purpose clause '为了...多次约见'.

他尝试通过私人关系约见那位退休的政客。

He tried to arrange a meeting with that retired politician through private connections.

Method '通过...'.

公司高层将约见工会代表，讨论工资增长问题。

Company executives will meet with union representatives to discuss wage increases.

Future intent '将'.

律师建议我暂时不要约见对方的律师。

The lawyer advised me not to arrange a meeting with the opposing party's lawyer for the time being.

Negative advice '建议...不要'.

他以身体不适为由，推迟了所有约见。

On the grounds of physical discomfort, he postponed all meetings.

Reason structure '以...为由'.

这次约见对于我们未来的合作至关重要。

This meeting is crucial for our future cooperation.

Subject usage '这次约见'.

在激烈的市场竞争中，他成功约见了行业巨头，寻求战略结盟。

In the midst of fierce market competition, he successfully arranged a meeting with an industry giant to seek a strategic alliance.

High-level business vocabulary.

尽管他身居高位，但依然乐于约见基层员工，倾听他们的心声。

Despite his high position, he is still willing to arrange meetings with grassroots employees and listen to their voices.

Concessive clause '尽管...但依然...'.

监管部门的约见往往预示着行业政策将迎来重大调整。

A summons from the regulatory department often portends major adjustments in industry policy.

Abstract noun usage.

他通过多方斡旋，终于约见了那位一直避而不见的证人。

Through various mediations, he finally arranged a meeting with that witness who had been avoiding him.

Idiomatic '避而不见'.

这次非正式约见为两国关系的缓和起到了关键作用。

This informal meeting played a key role in easing relations between the two countries.

Formal political commentary.

在申请约见之前，你必须提交一份详细的项目计划书。

Before requesting a meeting, you must submit a detailed project proposal.

Pre-requisite structure.

由于信息泄露，该银行的高管被警方约见配合调查。

Due to a data leak, the bank's senior executives were summoned by the police to assist in the investigation.

Legal context '配合调查'.

他深知这次约见的分量，因此在准备过程中不敢有丝毫懈怠。

He knew the weight of this meeting well, so he dared not be slack in the slightest during the preparation process.

Literary style '深知', '分量', '丝毫懈怠'.

此番约见，与其说是例行公事，倒不如说是双方权力博弈的延续。

This meeting, rather than being a matter of routine, is more of a continuation of the power struggle between the two sides.

Comparative structure '与其说...倒不如说...'.

在史书的记载中，这次秘密约见被视为改变历史走向的转折点。

In historical records, this secret meeting is regarded as a turning point that changed the course of history.

Historical/Formal register.

他拒绝接受任何形式的约见，这种孤傲的态度引发了外界的种种猜测。

He refused to accept any form of meeting; this aloof attitude sparked various speculations from the outside world.

Sophisticated character description.

即便是在这种剑拔弩张的时刻，双方仍保留了约见的窗口，以避免局势失控。

Even at such a tense moment, both sides still maintained a window for meetings to avoid the situation spiraling out of control.

Idiomatic '剑拔弩张' (drawn swords and bent bows).

通过这次深度的约见，他洞察到了对方言语背后隐藏的真实意图。

Through this deep meeting, he discerned the true intentions hidden behind the other party's words.

Abstract perception '洞察'.

这种层级的约见通常伴随着极其严苛的安全审查和礼宾程序。

Meetings at this level are usually accompanied by extremely stringent security screenings and protocol procedures.

Institutional vocabulary.

他巧妙地利用了媒体对此次约见的关注，为自己的新政造势。

He skillfully exploited the media's attention to this meeting to build momentum for his new policy.

Strategic vocabulary '造势'.

约见虽然短暂，但其间流露出的信息足以让整个金融市场产生剧烈震荡。

Although the meeting was brief, the information revealed during it was enough to cause violent shocks throughout the financial market.

Resultative structure '足以让...'.

Common Collocations

请求约见

安排约见

拒绝约见

秘密约见

正式约见

被约见

多次约见

约见记者

约见律师

提议约见

Common Phrases

约见某人

— To arrange to meet someone. Used for any formal appointment.

我想约见张先生。

申请约见

— To apply for an audience or meeting. Very formal.

学生可以申请约见校长。

私人约见

— A private meeting arrangement, often confidential.

这是一次私人约见，不公开。

约见时间

— The scheduled time for the meeting.

我们的约见时间是下午两点。

约见地点

— The scheduled location for the meeting.

约见地点定在会议室。

约见成功

— Successfully arranged a meeting.

经过努力，我终于约见成功了。

约见信

— A letter requesting or confirming a meeting.

他收到了一封约见信。

紧急约见

— An urgent scheduled meeting.

由于突发情况，他请求紧急约见。

约见名单

— A list of people scheduled for meetings.

这是今天下午的约见名单。

约见程序

— The formal process for arranging a meeting.

请遵守公司的约见程序。

Often Confused With

约见 vs 约会

约会 is for romantic dates; 约见 is for professional appointments.

约见 vs 见面

见面 is a general meet-up; 约见 is a pre-arranged formal meeting.

约见 vs 约谈

约谈 is a formal summons for investigation/instruction; 约见 is more neutral.

Idioms & Expressions

"避而不见"

— To avoid someone and refuse to meet them. Often used when someone is evading responsibility.

欠债的人总是避而不见。

Formal

"不约而同"

— To happen to do the same thing without prior agreement. While '约' is here, it's about lack of arrangement.

大家不约而同地鼓起掌来。

Common

"后会有期"

— We shall meet again. A formal way to say goodbye, implying a future meeting.

各位朋友，后会有期！

Literary

"开门见山"

— To get straight to the point. Often what you do in a formal '约见'.

我们开门见山地谈吧。

Common

"礼尚往来"

— Courtesy demands reciprocity. Important context for formal meetings.

礼尚往来是我们的传统。

Formal

"见风使舵"

— To act according to the circumstances. Sometimes used to describe behavior in meetings.

他这个人总是见风使舵。

Derogatory

"由此可见"

— From this it can be seen. Common in formal discussions.

由此可见，这个计划是可行的。

Academic

"一见如故"

— To feel like old friends at the first meeting.

虽然是第一次约见，但我们一见如故。

Common

"见多识广"

— Experienced and knowledgeable. A quality desired in those you '约见'.

王教授是一位见多识广的学者。

Commendatory

"见仁见智"

— Opinions differ from person to person. Common phrase in meeting summaries.

对于这个问题，大家见仁见智。

Formal

Easily Confused

约见 vs 会见

Both mean formal meeting.

会见 is for high-level officials and is more public/official. 约见 can be private and professional.

总统会见了外宾。 vs 我约见了律师。

约见 vs 接见

Both involve formal meetings.

接见 implies a significant hierarchy where the superior 'receives' the subordinate.

主席接见了英雄。

约见 vs 拜访

Both involve seeing someone.

拜访 is a polite visit to someone's location, often with a gift or out of respect.

我去拜访我的老老师。

约见 vs 面试

Both are formal.

面试 is specifically a job interview. 约见 is the act of setting up or having any formal meeting.

我通过约见参加了面试。

约见 vs 预约

Both involve making a plan.

预约 is usually for a service or a slot (doctor, table). 约见 is for a person.

我预约了牙医。

Sentence Patterns

我想约见[Person]。

我想约见老师。

我要约见[Person]谈[Topic]。

我要约见经理谈工作。

已经约见了[Number]位[Person]。

已经约见了三位客户。

被[Authority]约见。

被主任约见了。

向[Person]提出约见请求。

向董事长提出约见请求。

通过[Method]约见[Person]。

通过秘书约见了那位巨头。

此番约见旨在[Purpose]。

此番约见旨在缓和局势。

[Event]引发了约见的窗口。

危机引发了双方约见的窗口。

Word Family

Nouns

约会 (yuēhuì) - Date/Appointment

约定 (yuēdìng) - Agreement

见解 (jiànjiě) - Opinion

见闻 (jiànwén) - What one sees and hears

Verbs

预约 (yùyuē) - To book

相见 (xiāngjiàn) - To meet each other

遇见 (yùjiàn) - To encounter

见证 (jiànzhèng) - To witness

Adjectives

约略 (yuēlüè) - Approximate

见效 (jiànxiào) - Effective

合同 (hétong) - Contract

会议 (huìyì) - Meeting/Conference

采访 (cǎifǎng) - Interview

谈话 (tánhuà) - Conversation

正式 (zhèngshì) - Formal

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional and news contexts.

Common Mistakes

我约见朋友去喝茶。 → 我约朋友去喝茶。
约见 is too formal for friends. Use '约' for casual invitations.
我想和你约见。 → 我想约见你。
约见 is a transitive verb. It doesn't usually need '和' or '跟'.
我明天要约会老板。 → 我明天要约见老板。
约会 implies a romantic date. This would be very awkward with your boss!
他被老师约会了。 → 他被老师约见了。
Again, confusing appointment with date. '约见' is the professional summons.
我已经预约了经理。 → 我已经约见了经理。
预约 is for services (like a table or a doctor's slot). 约见 is for the person themselves.

Tips

Direct Object

Remember that 约见 takes a direct object. Don't say '和他在办公室约见', say '在办公室约见他'.

Respect Hierarchy

Use 约见 when you are the one requesting time from someone more senior. It shows you respect their busy schedule.

Avoid Romantic Confusion

Never use 约见 for a date. 约会 is for romance; 约见 is for business.

Email Formalities

In a professional email, '请求约见' is the standard way to ask for a meeting.

Soften the Tone

Add '一下' after 约见 to make your request sound more polite and less demanding.

Identify News Contexts

When you hear 约见 in the news, pay attention to who is meeting whom; it often indicates important policy shifts.

The Power of Guanxi

A successful 约见 is often the first step in building a long-term professional relationship in China.

Break it Down

约 (Appointment) + 见 (See) = Formal Meeting. Simple and logical!

Office Use

Keep 约见 for the office, the hospital, or the school. Avoid it at the bar or the park.

Don't use with '跟'

Avoid saying '我想跟你约见'. While sometimes heard, '我想约见你' is much more standard.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Yuē' as 'You + e-calendar' and 'Jiàn' as 'Join'. You put it on your e-calendar to join someone for a formal meeting.

Visual Association

Imagine a silk cord (约) tying two calendars together, with an eye (见) watching the clock for the meeting time.

Word Web

Appointment Formal Business Schedule Interview Consultation Meeting Official

Challenge

Try to use '约见' in a sentence today when talking about a professional appointment you have, even if you are just practicing in your head.

Word Origin

The character '约' (yuē) originally depicted a cord or bundle, signifying binding or agreement. '见' (jiàn) depicts an eye over a person, signifying the act of seeing or meeting. Together, they form the concept of a 'bound seeing' or an agreed-upon meeting.

Original meaning: To arrange a time to see someone.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be careful using '约见' with friends as it can sound cold or like you are treating them like a business transaction. Use '见' or '约' instead.

Similar to 'arranging an audience' or 'scheduling a formal consultation.' It is more formal than 'meeting up.'

Diplomatic news often uses '约见' when China summons a foreign ambassador. Business dramas like 'Ode to Joy' frequently feature characters '约见' clients. Historical novels use it for secret meetings between strategists.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Job Interview

约见面试 (Arrange an interview)
被约见 (To be called for an interview)
请求约见 (Request an interview)
确认约见 (Confirm an interview)

Diplomacy

紧急约见 (Urgent summons)
约见大使 (Meet with an ambassador)
正式约见 (Formal meeting)
拒绝约见 (Refuse a meeting)

Academic

约见导师 (Meet with a supervisor)
申请约见 (Apply for a meeting)
约见时间 (Meeting time)
约见地点 (Meeting place)

Business

约见客户 (Meet with a client)
安排约见 (Schedule a meeting)
面谈约见 (Face-to-face meeting)
约见记录 (Meeting notes)

Medical

约见专家 (Meet with a specialist)
预约约见 (Book a meeting)
约见建议 (Meeting recommendation)
推迟约见 (Postpone a meeting)

Conversation Starters

"您好，我想约见王经理，请问他什么时候有空？"

"我想约见您谈谈关于新项目的一些想法。"

"记者多次尝试约见那位明星，但都没有成功。"

"教授，我可以申请明天约见您讨论我的研究课题吗？"

"今天下午老板约见了我，我有点紧张。"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你成功约见重要人物的经历，你是如何准备的？

如果你有机会约见一位历史名人，你会选择谁？为什么？

谈谈在你的文化中，正式约见和非正式见面有什么区别？

写一段对话，模拟你向一位忙碌的教授请求约见的过程。

你认为在数字化时代，面对面的‘约见’还有那么重要吗？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically you could, but it would sound very strange and overly formal. It's better to use '约' or '见面' for friends. For example, '我约了朋友喝咖啡' is much more natural than '我约见朋友喝咖啡'.

约见 is a general term for arranging a formal meeting. 约谈 is specifically used by authorities (like government regulators or school principals) to call someone in for a serious talk, warning, or investigation. 约谈 carries a stronger sense of 'summons' and potential trouble.

No, 约见 is not a separable verb. You don't say '约了个见'. You treat it like a standard transitive verb: '约见某人'.

You can say '我有约见' (I have a scheduled meeting) or '我约见了某人' (I have arranged to meet someone). However, '我有预约' is more common for service appointments like doctors.

Yes, it can function as a noun meaning 'the scheduled meeting' or 'the appointment.' For example: '这次约见非常重要' (This meeting is very important).

No. For romantic dates, always use '约会' (yuēhuì). Using '约见' with a romantic interest might make them think you want to discuss a business contract!

There isn't one direct opposite verb, but '拒绝约见' (refuse a meeting) or '失约' (break an appointment) are common antonymous concepts.

You can say: '教授，请问我可以约见您谈谈我的论文吗？' (Professor, may I arrange a meeting with you to talk about my thesis?) This is polite and formal.

It can refer to the act of arranging ('我想约见他') or the meeting itself ('我今天约见了他'). The context and aspect markers like '了' determine the timing.

Yes, it is common and understood in both, though specific business etiquette might vary slightly. In both places, it remains a formal term.