Definitions

to visit (a superior)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "谒", simplified from its traditional form "謁", is structurally composed of the semantic element "言" denoting speech and the phonetic component "曷", reflecting its original association with verbal declaration or proclamation. Historically, its meaning shifted from this broad sense of announcing to specifically indicate the formal act of requesting an audience or paying respects to a superior, a semantic narrowing that corresponded to changes in social protocol and linguistic usage. This evolution retained the character's inherent link to ritualized communication, where its structure continued to underscore the ceremonial nature of speech within hierarchical interactions.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他去见总统。

Tā qù yèjiàn zǒngtǒng.

He went to have an audience with the president.

我们准备陵。

Wǒmen zhǔnbèi yèlíng.

We are preparing to visit the tomb.

明天他去见老师。

Míngtiān tā qù yèjiàn lǎoshī.

Tomorrow he will formally visit the teacher.

他们拜了英雄纪念碑。

Tāmen bài yèle yīngxióng jìniànbēi.

They paid homage at the heroes' monument.

为了表示敬意,他专程见。

Wèile biǎoshì jìngyì, tā zhuānchéng yèjiàn.

To show respect, he made a special trip to pay a visit.

在节日里,人们常常祖寻根。

Zài jiérì lǐ, rénmen chángcháng yè zǔ xún gēn.

During festivals, people often visit ancestors to seek their roots.

古代官员必须定期见皇帝。

Gǔdài guānyuán bìxū dìngqī yèjiàn huángdì.

In ancient times, officials had to regularly have audiences with the emperor.

尽管天气恶劣,他仍然坚持陵以表达哀思。

Jǐnguǎn tiānqì èliè, tā réngrán jiānchí yèlíng yǐ biǎodá āisī.

Despite the bad weather, he still insisted on visiting the tomb to express grief.