朝见 (cháo jiàn) — Chinese Word

verb HSK 6

Traditional 朝見

cháo jiàn

to have an audience with (a monarch) · to attend court · to pay respects to a superior

Meaning

朝见 is a formal, classical term referring to the act of going to see a ruler or superior in an official capacity, typically in ancient Chinese courts. It implies paying respects, presenting oneself formally, or seeking an audience with someone of higher rank or authority. This word carries strong historical and literary connotations.

Usage

This is an archaic, literary term rarely used in everyday modern Chinese. It appears primarily in historical dramas, classical literature, historical texts, and formal writing about ancient Chinese court practices. In contemporary contexts, it's used figuratively or humorously to describe meeting with a very important person.

Examples

01
大臣们每天清晨朝见皇帝，商议国家大事。
Dà chén men měi tiān qīng chén cháo jiàn huáng dì, shāng yì guó jiā dà shì.
The ministers had an audience with the emperor every morning to discuss affairs of state.
02
使者从远方来朝见君王，献上珍贵的礼物。
Shǐ zhě cóng yuǎn fāng lái cháo jiàn jūn wáng, xiàn shàng zhēn guì de lǐ wù.
The envoy came from afar to have an audience with the king and presented precious gifts.

Characters

Measure words

次cì朝见一次

Common collocations

朝见皇帝
cháo jiàn huáng dì
to have an audience with the emperor
朝见天子
cháo jiàn tiān zǐ
to attend upon the Son of Heaven

Origin

朝 originally meant 'morning' or 'court session' (held in the morning), and by extension 'imperial court.' Combined with 见 (to see/meet), 朝见 literally means 'to see/meet at court,' referring to the formal practice of officials and subjects appearing before the emperor.