Are you planning to communicate with Chinese speakers about meetings? Whether you want to learn the formal or informal ways to say “meeting” in Chinese, this guide will provide you with all the necessary tips and examples. Let’s dive into the various ways to express this important concept in Mandarin Chinese!
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Formal Ways to Say “Meeting”
If you prefer a more formal expression when discussing meetings, the two most common Mandarin Chinese terms are:
- 会议 (huìyì)
This term is widely used in mainland China and most Chinese-speaking regions. It refers to a formal, scheduled meeting, such as business meetings, conferences, academic gatherings, or official assemblies. For example, you can say:
我们明天有一个重要的会议。
Wǒmen míngtiān yǒu yīgè zhòngyào de huìyì.
We have an important meeting tomorrow.
开会 (kāihuì)
This term is commonly used in both formal and informal situations and refers to “to have a meeting.” It is more versatile and can denote a range of meeting types. For instance:
我们需要开个短会讨论这个计划。
Wǒmen xūyào kāi gè duǎn huì tǎolùn zhège jìhuà.
We need to have a quick meeting to discuss this plan.
Informal Ways to Say “Meeting”
When it comes to informal situations, especially among friends or acquaintances, you can use the following expressions:
- 聚会 (jùhuì)
This term refers to a casual gathering or social event. While it does not strictly mean a business meeting, it can still be used in more relaxed contexts to refer to a meeting. Examples include friends meeting for dinner or a group gathering to celebrate an occasion:
我们周末要聚会吗？
Wǒmen zhōumò yào jùhuì ma?
Are we meeting up this weekend?
碰面 (pèng miàn)
This expression literally translates to “to bump into each other’s faces,” indicating an unplanned encounter or a casual meet-up. People use this term when emphasizing the spontaneous nature of their meeting:
我正在商场，你要过来碰面吗？
Wǒ zhèngzài shāngchǎng, nǐ yào guòlái pèng miàn ma?
I’m at the mall, do you want to come and meet?
Regional Variations
While the formal and informal expressions mentioned above are widely understood across Mandarin-speaking regions, some variations exist:
- 会晤 (huìwù)
In Taiwanese Mandarin, you may hear this term used more frequently to refer to formal meetings, especially among government officials or in diplomatic contexts.
开个例会 (kāi gè lìhuì)
This expression, more commonly used in Hong Kong and Southern China, represents “to hold a meeting” in a formal setting.
Remember, these regional variations are additional options, and the formal and informal ways to say “meeting” mentioned earlier are more than sufficient for effective communication in Mandarin Chinese.
Now armed with a range of options, you can confidently discuss meetings in Chinese, whether in formal or informal settings.
Keep practicing, and soon you will become comfortable using these phrases!
