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电话会议

B1 noun 9 min read

电话会议

diànhuà huìyì

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 电话会议 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 电话会议 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the two main parts of this word: 电话 (diànhuà), which means telephone, and 会议 (huìyì), which means meeting. Even if you cannot use the full phrase in complex sentences, knowing that '电话' is phone and '会议' is meeting will help you understand the context. You might hear a teacher or a boss say this word and recognize that they are talking about a group call. At this stage, you can simply use it in short sentences like '我有电话会议' (I have a conference call). It is a useful word because it combines two very common nouns. You don't need to worry about the technical details of how the call works; just remember that it is a 'phone meeting'. Think of it as a special kind of '电话' where many people talk together.

At the A2 level, you can begin to use 电话会议 with basic verbs and measure words. You should know that the measure word is usually '个' (gè). You can say '一个电话会议'. You should also learn the verb '开' (kāi), which means 'to hold' or 'to have' a meeting. So, '开电话会议' means 'to have a conference call'. You might also use it with time words, such as '明天十点开电话会议' (Have a conference call at 10:00 tomorrow). At this level, you should be able to tell someone that you are busy because of a call: '对不起，我在开电话会议' (Sorry, I am in a conference call). This is a practical phrase for anyone working in an office or studying in a group. You are starting to see how Chinese builds long words by putting smaller, logical words together.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 电话会议 in more professional and varied contexts. You should understand the difference between '参加' (cānjiā - to attend) and '主持' (zhǔchí - to host) a conference call. You can describe the purpose of the call using '讨论' (tǎolùn - to discuss). For example, '我们要开个电话会议讨论新计划' (We need to have a conference call to discuss the new plan). You should also be familiar with related technical terms like '拨入' (bōrù - to dial in) and '静音' (jìngyīn - to mute). At this level, you can handle basic problems, such as '我听不到电话会议的声音' (I can't hear the sound of the conference call). This word is essential for B1 learners because it appears frequently in workplace-themed listening and reading materials.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 电话会议 in formal business environments. You can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of conference calls compared to face-to-face meetings. For instance, you might say, '虽然电话会议很方便，但有时候很难看清对方的反应' (Although conference calls are convenient, sometimes it's hard to see the other person's reaction). You should also be able to use the term in the passive voice or with complex modifiers, such as '被推迟的电话会议' (the postponed conference call). You can navigate the etiquette of these calls, such as '在电话会议中不要随意打断别人' (Do not interrupt others randomly during a conference call). Your vocabulary should also include specific types of calls, like '业绩电话会议' (earnings call).

At the C1 level, your use of 电话会议 should be nuanced and precise. You can use it in high-level discussions about corporate strategy or communication efficiency. You might analyze how the '电话会议文化' (conference call culture) affects employee productivity or mental health. You should be able to use idiomatic expressions or formal structures around the word, such as '鉴于目前的形势，我们必须通过电话会议进行磋商' (In view of the current situation, we must consult via conference call). You can also discuss the evolution of the term and how it is being superseded by more integrated '统一通信' (unified communications) solutions. At this level, you are not just using the word; you are discussing the concepts and implications behind the technology.

At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over the term 电话会议 and can use it in any context, from technical telecommunications engineering to sociolinguistic analysis. You might write a formal report evaluating the cost-benefit analysis of 电话会议 systems versus physical corporate travel. You can use the term in complex legal or contractual language, such as '所有正式决策必须在有记录的电话会议中达成' (All formal decisions must be reached in a recorded conference call). You understand the subtle differences in register between '电话会议', '远程协作', and '多方通话'. Your pronunciation and tones are perfect, and you can effortlessly switch between formal business Chinese and the informal jargon used by tech professionals when discussing these calls.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

电话会议 in 30 Seconds

A 电话会议 is a formal audio-based meeting involving three or more people via telephone technology.
Commonly used in business to connect remote teams, it requires a host, participants, and often a dial-in code.
Key verbs include '开' (hold), '参加' (attend), and '主持' (host), while '个' is the standard measure word.
It differs from 视频会议 (video conference) by being audio-only, making it efficient for low-bandwidth situations.

The term 电话会议 (diànhuà huìyì) is a cornerstone of modern professional Chinese, particularly within the realms of business, international relations, and remote coordination. At its most fundamental level, it refers to a 'conference call'—a synchronized meeting conducted over telephonic lines where three or more participants engage in audio-based communication. In the hierarchy of corporate communication, the 电话会议 serves as the middle ground between a simple one-on-one phone call (电话) and a more technologically demanding video conference (视频会议). While the rise of platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams has shifted many interactions toward video, the 电话会议 remains a critical fallback and a primary tool for quick, efficient audio-only synchronization.

Etymological Breakdown: The word is a compound noun. 电话 (diànhuà) literally translates to 'electric speech' (telephone), and 会议 (huìyì) means 'meeting' or 'conference'. Together, they perfectly encapsulate the concept of a meeting mediated by electronic voice transmission.

In a practical sense, you will encounter this term most frequently in office environments. When a manager says, '我们下午有一个电话会议' (We have a conference call this afternoon), they are signaling a formal or semi-formal gathering where information will be disseminated or decisions will be made. It implies a certain level of etiquette: participants are expected to dial in (拨入) on time, introduce themselves if necessary, and often follow an agenda (议程). The usage of this term has expanded slightly in the digital age to include audio-only calls made via internet protocols (VoIP), though technical purists might distinguish these as 网络通话 (network calls).

为了讨论新项目的细节，经理安排了一次跨国电话会议。 (To discuss the details of the new project, the manager arranged an international conference call.)

Culturally, the 电话会议 represents the fast-paced nature of the Chinese '996' or modern high-pressure work culture. It is the tool of choice for bridging the gap between a headquarters in Beijing and a manufacturing plant in Shenzhen, or a sales team in Shanghai and a client in New York. Unlike a physical meeting, which requires travel and logistical planning, a 电话会议 can be convened with relatively short notice, making it the preferred method for crisis management or rapid status updates. However, it also brings challenges, such as the difficulty of reading non-verbal cues and the potential for technical disruptions like background noise or poor signal quality.

Furthermore, the term is often paired with specific verbs that define the role of the participant. One can 参加 (cānjiā) a conference call (attend), 主持 (zhǔchí) one (host/chair), or 安排 (ānpái) one (arrange). Understanding these pairings is essential for navigating a Chinese-speaking office environment. As remote work becomes more normalized, the line between 电话会议 and other forms of telecommunication blurs, but the term remains the standard formal designation for any audio-only group discussion via a telecommunications network.

Using 电话会议 correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and how it interacts with various verbs and measure words. The most common measure word for 电话会议 is 个 (gè), as in '一个电话会议', though in more formal contexts, 场 (chǎng) can be used to emphasize the event or occasion, particularly if it is a large or significant session.

Common Verb Pairings: 主持 (zhǔchí): To host or chair the call. Example: '谁来主持今天的电话会议？' (Who is hosting today's conference call?)
参加 (cānjiā): To participate or attend. Example: '我有三个人要参加这个电话会议。' (I have three people who need to attend this conference call.)
拨入 (bōrù): To dial into the call. Example: '请在十点整拨入电话会议。' (Please dial into the conference call at 10:00 sharp.)

When constructing sentences, 电话会议 usually functions as the direct object of the action. For example, if you are scheduling a meeting, you would say '安排一个电话会议' (Arrange a conference call). If you are currently in the middle of one, you would say '我在开电话会议' (I am having/holding a conference call). Note the use of 开 (kāi), which is the standard verb for 'holding' or 'conducting' a meeting in Chinese.

因为网络不稳定，我们决定把视频会议改为电话会议。 (Because the internet is unstable, we decided to change the video conference to a conference call.)

In more complex sentences, you might describe the purpose or the participants of the call. For instance: '这次电话会议的目的是讨论预算' (The purpose of this conference call is to discuss the budget). Or, '这次电话会议涉及五个国家的团队' (This conference call involves teams from five countries). Notice how the noun acts as the subject here to define the parameters of the communication.

Finally, consider the timing. In Chinese, time expressions usually come before the verb. So, 'I will have a conference call tomorrow' becomes '我明天要开一个电话会议'. Using the word in the past tense involves adding '了' (le) or '过' (guò), such as '我们昨天开了一个电话会议' (We had a conference call yesterday). Mastery of these structural nuances allows a learner to move from simple identification to professional-level communication.

The environment where 电话会议 is most prevalent is the corporate office, specifically within multinational corporations (MNCs) or large domestic Chinese firms like Alibaba, Tencent, or Huawei. In these settings, the term is part of the daily jargon. You will hear it in elevators ('我赶着去开个电话会议'), in emails ('附件是电话会议的议程'), and in casual office chatter. It signifies a transition from solo work to collaborative effort.

Contextual Usage: Finance and Law: Used for earnings calls or legal consultations involving multiple stakeholders across regions.
Tech and Engineering: Used for 'stand-up' meetings or troubleshooting sessions between developers in different cities.
Customer Support: Used when escalating a client issue to a group of experts.

Beyond the office, you might hear this term in news broadcasts or financial reports. For example, when a publicly traded company releases its quarterly results, the media will report on the '业绩电话会议' (earnings conference call). This is a formal event where analysts and investors dial in to hear from the CEO and CFO. In this context, the term carries a weight of transparency and official communication.

在昨晚的电话会议中，公司首席执行官宣布了新的扩张计划。 (In last night's conference call, the CEO announced new expansion plans.)

In a more personal or academic context, the term is rarer but not unheard of. A group of students working on a project might say '我们开个电话会议聊聊' (Let's have a conference call to chat), though they are more likely to use informal terms like '群聊' (group chat) or '语音通话' (voice call) if using apps like WeChat. The use of 电话会议 specifically implies a structured, often business-oriented interaction.

Finally, you will encounter the term in the settings of your devices. If you use a Chinese-language interface on a business phone system, the button for 'Conference' will often be labeled '会议' or '电话会议'. Understanding this word is therefore essential for basic workplace literacy in a Chinese-speaking environment.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is confusing 电话会议 (diànhuà huìyì) with 视频会议 (shìpín huìyì). While both are remote meetings, the former is audio-only, while the latter involves video. In an era where Zoom and Teams are ubiquitous, many people say '电话会议' when they actually mean '视频会议'. While usually understood, using the specific term shows a higher level of linguistic precision.

Mistake Type: Verbal Mismatch: Using '打' (dǎ - to hit/dial) instead of '开' (kāi - to hold) or '参加' (cānjiā - to attend). You '打' a 电话 (call), but you '开' a 电话会议 (meeting).
Measure Word Error: Using '只' or '条' instead of '个' or '场'. Remember: 一个电话会议.

Another common mistake is the omission of the word '会议'. Some learners might just say '我们有一个电话' to mean 'We have a conference call'. However, in Chinese, '有一个电话' usually implies a single incoming call for one person, not a group meeting. To avoid confusion, always include '会议' when referring to a group discussion.

错误：我要打一个电话会议。
正确：我要参加一个电话会议。 (I need to attend a conference call.)

Phonetically, learners sometimes struggle with the tones in huìyì. Both characters are fourth tone (falling), which requires a sharp, decisive pronunciation. If pronounced with the wrong tones, it might sound like 'huíyì' (memory), leading to significant confusion: 'We are having a phone memory' vs 'We are having a phone meeting'.

Lastly, be careful with the context of '拨入' (bōrù). It specifically means to dial into a system. If you say '拨入电话会议' when you are simply calling a person directly who then adds others, it might sound overly technical. '拨入' is best reserved for meetings with a specific dial-in number and access code.

To truly master the vocabulary of remote communication, it is important to understand how 电话会议 relates to its synonyms and alternatives. Each term carries a slightly different nuance regarding the technology used or the formality of the setting.

Comparison: 电话会议 vs. 视频会议: 电话会议 (diànhuà huìyì): Audio only. Traditional, reliable, less bandwidth-heavy.
视频会议 (shìpín huìyì): Video and audio. Modern, allows for visual aids and body language, requires better internet.
Comparison: 电话会议 vs. 网络会议: 电话会议: Often implies using actual phone lines or a dial-in service.
网络会议 (wǎngluò huìyì): A broader term for any meeting held over the internet (Webinar, WebEx, etc.).

In informal settings, especially in China's tech-savvy culture, you might hear people say 语音通话 (yǔyīn tōnghuà) for a voice call or 群语音 (qún yǔyīn) for a group voice chat. These are much less formal than 电话会议 and are typically used when talking about WeChat or other social apps. If you are in a professional setting, stick to 电话会议 to maintain a serious tone.

虽然我们可以用微信群聊，但正式的讨论还是应该安排电话会议。 (Although we can use WeChat group chat, formal discussions should still be scheduled as conference calls.)

Another related term is 远程会议 (yuǎnchéng huìyì), which means 'remote meeting'. This is an umbrella term that includes both phone and video conferences. If you want to be vague about the medium but emphasize that people are not in the same room, this is the word to use. Additionally, for very large broadcasts where participants mostly listen, the term 网络研讨会 (wǎngluò yántǎohuì) or 'webinar' might be more appropriate.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The characters for telephone (电话) were actually borrowed from Japanese 'denwa', which used the same kanji characters to translate the Western invention.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /diɛn huɑ hweɪ i/

US /diæn hwɑ hweɪ i/

The primary stress is on the first syllable 'Diàn' and the final syllable 'Yì'.

Rhymes With

建议 (jiànyì - suggestion) 协议 (xiéyì - agreement) 意义 (yìyì - meaning) 利益 (lìyì - interest) 回忆 (huíyì - memory) 战役 (zhànyì - battle) 编译 (biānyì - compile) 奇异 (qíyì - strange)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'huìyì' as 'huíyì' (2nd tone), which means 'memory'.
Failing to make the 4th tone sharp enough, making it sound like a question.
Merging 'dian' and 'hua' into one syllable.
Pronouncing 'yi' like the English 'why' instead of 'ee'.
Using a flat tone for all syllables, which sounds robotic and unclear.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Characters are common but '会议' requires attention to detail.

Writing 4/5

Writing '议' (yì) with the correct stroke order can be tricky for beginners.

Speaking 3/5

Tones are the main challenge; three 4th tones in a row.

Listening 2/5

Very distinct sound, usually easy to pick out in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

电话会议开会参加说话

Learn Next

视频会议电子邮件议程总结协调

Advanced

同声传译多方通话协议统一通信虚拟协作远程办公效率

Grammar to Know

Measure words for events

一场会议 (A meeting/event).

Resultative complements

听清楚 (Hear clearly).

Directional complements

拨进去 (Dial into/enter).

Time frequency

每周一次电话会议 (One conference call per week).

Passive voice with 被

会议被取消了 (The meeting was cancelled).

Examples by Level

我有电话会议。

I have a conference call.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.

这是电话会议吗？

Is this a conference call?

Question using 吗.

电话会议在三点。

The conference call is at three o'clock.

Time expression before the location/event.

我不喜欢电话会议。

I don't like conference calls.

Negative sentence using 不.

老师在开电话会议。

The teacher is having a conference call.

Present progressive using 在.

我们要开电话会议。

We need to have a conference call.

Using 要 to indicate intention.

电话会议很有用。

Conference calls are very useful.

Adjective predicate with 很.

再见，我去开电话会议了。

Goodbye, I'm going to a conference call.

Using 了 to indicate a change of state or imminent action.

我明天有一个电话会议。

I have a conference call tomorrow.

Measure word 个 is used.

请参加我们的电话会议。

Please join our conference call.

Polite request using 请.

电话会议什么时候开始？

When does the conference call start?

Question word 什么时候.

我们要开一个小时的电话会议。

We are going to have a one-hour conference call.

Duration of time after the verb.

他在电话会议里说话。

He is speaking in the conference call.

Locative phrase using 在...里.

这个电话会议很重要。

This conference call is very important.

Demonstrative pronoun 这个.

你会参加那个电话会议吗？

Will you attend 그 conference call?

Future possibility with 会.

我刚开完电话会议。

I just finished the conference call.

Resultative complement 完.

经理正在主持电话会议。

The manager is hosting a conference call.

Specific verb 主持 for hosting.

由于技术问题，电话会议推迟了。

Due to technical issues, the conference call was postponed.

Cause and effect using 由于.

请在电话会议开始前拨入。

Please dial in before the conference call starts.

Using 拨入 for 'dialing in'.

这次电话会议是为了讨论预算。

This conference call is for discussing the budget.

Purpose structure 是为了...

如果你不说话，请在电话会议中静音。

If you are not speaking, please mute during the conference call.

Conditional sentence with 如果.

我需要电话会议的密码。

I need the password for the conference call.

Noun modification with 的.

电话会议的记录在哪里？

Where are the minutes of the conference call?

Asking for location of an object.

我们要和美国的团队开电话会议。

We are going to have a conference call with the US team.

Prepositional phrase 和...开.

电话会议是跨国公司沟通的重要手段。

Conference calls are an important means of communication for multinational companies.

Formal definition structure.

在电话会议中，清晰的表达至关重要。

In a conference call, clear expression is crucial.

Emphasis using 至关重要.

他因为参加电话会议而错过了午饭。

He missed lunch because he was attending a conference call.

Reason and result with 因为...而...

这个软件可以支持多达一百人同时参加电话会议。

This software can support up to one hundred people attending a conference call simultaneously.

Using 多达 to indicate a large quantity.

尽管有噪音，我们还是坚持完成了电话会议。

Despite the noise, we insisted on finishing the conference call.

Concession with 尽管...还是...

请确保所有相关人员都收到了电话会议的邀请。

Please ensure that all relevant personnel have received the conference call invitation.

Using 确保 for 'ensure'.

电话会议结束后，我会发一份总结邮件。

After the conference call ends, I will send a summary email.

Time clause with ...结束后.

主持电话会议需要良好的组织能力。

Hosting a conference call requires good organizational skills.

Subject is a gerund phrase.

电话会议的效率往往取决于议程的清晰度。

The efficiency of a conference call often depends on the clarity of the agenda.

Using 取决于 for 'depends on'.

由于时差原因，安排这次电话会议非常棘手。

Due to time zone differences, arranging this conference call is very tricky.

Using 棘手 for 'tricky' or 'thorny'.

他在电话会议中表现出了卓越的谈判技巧。

He demonstrated excellent negotiation skills during the conference call.

Using 表现出 for 'demonstrated'.

我们需要评估电话会议系统对信息安全的影响。

We need to evaluate the impact of the conference call system on information security.

Formal verb 评估 (evaluate).

电话会议已成为现代办公不可或缺的一部分。

Conference calls have become an indispensable part of modern office life.

Using 不可或缺 for 'indispensable'.

在电话会议中保持职业操守是非常必要的。

It is very necessary to maintain professional ethics during a conference call.

Formal term 职业操守 (professional ethics).

这次电话会议旨在协调各部门之间的利益冲突。

This conference call aims to coordinate conflicts of interest between departments.

Using 旨在 for 'aims to'.

通过电话会议，我们成功地达成了初步意向。

Through the conference call, we successfully reached a preliminary intention.

Formal term 达成初步意向.

电话会议虽能跨越地理障碍，却难以弥补面对面交流的温情。

Although conference calls can bridge geographical barriers, they can hardly compensate for the warmth of face-to-face communication.

Literary structure 虽...却... (although... yet...).

企业应建立完善的电话会议协议以防范潜在的法律风险。

Enterprises should establish comprehensive conference call protocols to guard against potential legal risks.

Using 以 to indicate purpose in a formal way.

电话会议中的沉默往往比言语更能传递复杂的心理信号。

Silence in a conference call often conveys complex psychological signals more than words do.

Comparative structure using 比...更能.

该公司的业绩电话会议引起了资本市场的剧烈波动。

The company's earnings conference call caused significant fluctuations in the capital market.

Using 引起 for 'caused/triggered'.

在全球化背景下，电话会议的同声传译需求日益增长。

In the context of globalization, the demand for simultaneous interpretation in conference calls is growing daily.

Using 日益增长 for 'growing day by day'.

我们需要反思电话会议是否导致了某种形式的“沟通异化”。

We need to reflect on whether conference calls have led to some form of 'communication alienation'.

Academic term 异化 (alienation).

这次电话会议的纪要将作为后续行动的法律依据。

The minutes of this conference call will serve as the legal basis for subsequent actions.

Using 作为 for 'serve as'.

精通电话会议的礼仪已成为高级行政人员的必修课。

Mastering conference call etiquette has become a compulsory course for senior executives.

Using 必修课 metaphorically.

Common Collocations

主持电话会议

参加电话会议

安排电话会议

拨入电话会议

电话会议议程

电话会议记录

跨国电话会议

业绩电话会议

电话会议系统

电话会议密码

Common Phrases

开个会

— A general way to say 'have a meeting', often used for conference calls.

我们下午开个会（电话会议）吧。

进会议

— To enter or join the call/meeting room.

快进会议，老板已经到了。

掉线了

— To get disconnected from the call.

对不起，我刚才掉线了。

听得清吗

— Can you hear clearly? (Standard check at start).

各位，能听得清我说话吗？

静音模式

— Mute mode.

请大家开启静音模式。

背景噪音

— Background noise.

你的背景噪音太大了。

发言人

— The speaker.

请下一位发言人开始。

会议号

— Meeting ID/number.

会议号是123-456-789。

信号不好

— Bad signal.

我这里的信号不好，听不清楚。

改期

— To reschedule.

电话会议需要改期到明天。

Often Confused With

电话会议 vs 视频会议

Video vs Audio. Don't say 电话会议 if you expect to see faces.

电话会议 vs 电话

A general call vs a group meeting. Be specific with 会议.

电话会议 vs 会议室

The physical room vs the virtual call itself.

Idioms & Expressions

"各抒己见"

— Everyone expresses their own view. Often the goal of a conference call.

在电话会议上，大家各抒己见。

Formal

"达成共识"

— To reach a consensus. The desired outcome.

经过电话会议，我们达成了共识。

Formal

"言简意赅"

— Brief and to the point. Good etiquette for calls.

电话会议时间有限，请大家言简意赅。

Formal

"针锋相对"

— To be diametrically opposed. Describes heated debates.

他们在电话会议中针锋相对。

Literary

"集思广益"

— To pool wisdom for better results.

开电话会议是为了集思广益。

Formal

"开诚布公"

— To be open and sincere.

我们在电话会议中开诚布公地谈了谈。

Formal

"一针见血"

— To hit the nail on the head.

他的发言在电话会议中一针见血。

Idiomatic

"事半功倍"

— Half the work, double the result. Efficiency goal.

高效的电话会议能事半功倍。

Idiomatic

"不可或缺"

— Indispensable.

电话会议是不可或缺的沟通工具。

Formal

"众所周知"

— As everyone knows. Used to introduce facts.

众所周知，电话会议能节省成本。

Formal

Easily Confused

电话会议 vs 回忆 (huíyì)

Same pinyin sounds, different tones.

Huìyì (4,4) is meeting; Huíyì (2,4) is memory.

我有很多美好的回忆 (I have many good memories).

电话会议 vs 话费 (huàfèi)

Both start with 'hua'.

Huàfèi is the phone bill/cost.

我的话费超支了 (My phone bill is over budget).

电话会议 vs 电视 (diànshì)

Both start with 'dian'.

Diànshì is television.

我在看电视 (I am watching TV).

电话会议 vs 会谈 (huìtán)

Both mean 'meeting'.

Huìtán is usually high-level political or diplomatic talks.

两国领导人举行了会谈 (Leaders of two countries held talks).

电话会议 vs 网络 (wǎngluò)

Related to remote meetings.

Wǎngluò is the network/internet itself.

网络连接很慢 (The internet connection is slow).

Sentence Patterns

我有[Noun]。

我有电话会议。

我要开[Number]个[Noun]。

我要开一个电话会议。

为了[Purpose]，我们要开[Noun]。

为了讨论项目，我们要开电话会议。

由于[Reason]，[Noun]被[Action]了。

由于断网，电话会议被推迟了。

[Noun]的效率取决于[Factor]。

电话会议的效率取决于议程。

虽[Clause], 却难以[Action]。

电话会议虽方便，却难以建立深厚感情。

请在[Time]拨入[Noun]。

请在两点拨入电话会议。

[Noun]涉及[Group]。

电话会议涉及全球三个办公室。

Word Family

Nouns

会议 (meeting)

电话 (telephone)

会谈 (talks)

议程 (agenda)

议会 (parliament)

Verbs

开会 (to meet)

通话 (to talk on phone)

议论 (to discuss)

会合 (to meet/join)

Adjectives

会议的 (meeting-related)

通话中的 (on the line)

视频会议 (video call)

网络会议 (web meeting)

远程办公 (remote work)

沟通 (communication)

协作 (collaboration)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in business and professional settings.

Common Mistakes

打一个电话会议 → 开一个电话会议
You 'hit' a single call, but you 'open/hold' a meeting.
电话会议在三个人 → 电话会议有三个人参加
Meetings 'have' participants, they aren't 'at' people.
我听不见电话会议 → 我听不到电话会议的声音
Technically you hear the 'sound' or the 'content', not the meeting itself.
huíyì (2nd tone) → huìyì (4th tone)
2nd tone means memory, which makes the sentence nonsensical.
视频会议 (when it's audio) → 电话会议
Using the wrong term creates false expectations of seeing video.

Tips

Be Punctual

In Chinese culture, joining a 电话会议 even one minute late can be seen as disrespectful.

Tone Mastery

The 4th tones are crucial. Practice saying 'diànhuà huìyì' firmly to sound professional.

Use Headsets

Always use a headset to avoid echo, which is the most common complaint in 电话会议.

Take Minutes

Always assign someone to write the '电话会议记录' to ensure accountability.

Mute Yourself

If you are not the primary speaker, stay on '静音' to avoid background noise.

Learn Related Verbs

Knowing '主持' and '拨入' will make you sound much more fluent.

Identify Voices

Since there is no video, try to learn the names and voices of participants beforehand.

Time Zones

Always specify the time zone (e.g., 北京时间) when scheduling a call.

Clear Subject Lines

Use '电话会议邀请' as the subject line for meeting invites.

Confirm Understanding

Frequently ask '明白了吗？' or '有意见吗？' to ensure everyone is following.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Dian' (Electricity) + 'Hua' (Talk) + 'Hui' (Gather) + 'Yi' (Discuss). It's an Electric Talk Gathering for Discussion.

Visual Association

Imagine a table with a large speakerphone in the center and several floating heads representing people from different countries.

Word Web

Office Business Remote Audio Speakerphone Agenda Participants Dial-in

Challenge

Try to say 'I am hosting a conference call at 2 PM' in Chinese without looking at any notes: '我下午两点主持一个电话会议'.

Word Origin

A modern compound created in the early 20th century as telephone technology integrated into social and business structures.

Original meaning: A gathering (会议) mediated by electric speech (电话).

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic), Modern Standard Chinese.

Cultural Context

Be aware of time zones when scheduling; calling a Chinese colleague during their lunch hour (12 PM - 2 PM) for a 电话会议 is often considered rude.

In the West, 'conference call' is often seen as a chore. In China, it is often viewed as a sign of importance or being part of a large, modern organization.

Used in corporate dramas like 'Ode to Joy' (欢乐颂) Common in financial news regarding Alibaba's earnings Featured in tech documentaries about Huawei's global expansion

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Project Kickoff

项目启动
分工明确
时间节点
大家配合

Budget Review

削减开支
预算审批
财务报告
成本控制

Tech Support

系统故障
解决方案
技术支持
尽快修复

Sales Update

销售目标
市场反馈
客户需求
业绩增长

International Coordination

时差问题
翻译协助
全球同步
区域合作

Conversation Starters

"今天的电话会议主要讨论什么？"

"你觉得明天的电话会议需要多长时间？"

"谁会参加下午三点的电话会议？"

"我们是不是应该先发一份电话会议的议程？"

"电话会议的拨入号码是多少？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次让你印象深刻的电话会议，发生了什么？

你认为电话会议和视频会议哪个更有效率？为什么？

写一段话，邀请你的同事参加一个关于新产品的电话会议。

如果电话会议中途断线了，你会怎么用中文解释？

想象一下未来的电话会议会是什么样子的。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically yes, but in a professional setting, people will still use 电话会议. In casual settings, '语音通话' is more common.

The most common measure word is '个' (gè). For more formal events, use '场' (chǎng).

You say '我在开电话会议' or '我在参加电话会议'.

电话会议 is audio only, while 视频会议 includes video.

Not usually for friends. It's almost exclusively used for work or formal group discussions.

You can ask: '电话会议的拨入号码是多少？'

Yes, in office jargon, people sometimes say '电会' (diànhuì).

Use '发起' (fāqǐ) to initiate or '开始' (kāishǐ) to begin.

The word is '静音' (jìngyīn).

No, it is a noun. You must pair it with a verb like '开' or '举行'.