Comparing "jian" and "jianmian"

Revision as of 01:11, 12 August 2021 by TomConnelly (talk | contribs)

Both 见 (jiàn) and 见面 (jiànmiàn) to mean “to see someone” or "to meet up with someone".

Sometimes they can be used interchangeably.

见 (jiàn) 见面 (jiànmiàn)
Meaningto see someoneto meet up
Part of Speechverbverb
Formalityformal and informalformal and informal

The key difference between these words is 见 emphasizes to see someone, whereas 见面 emphasizes a to meet up with someone.

Similarities

Example Sentences

In the following sentences, 见 AND 见面 both can be used interchangeably:

Differences

Common Phrases

These common phrases only work with 见:

  • ~朋友
  • ~你
  • 明天~
  • 一会儿~
  • 下次~
  • 晚上~
  • 明年~

Example Sentences

In the following sentences, only 见 can be used:

Common Phrases

These common phrases only work with 见面:

  • 跟你~
  • 见个面

Example Sentences

In the following sentences, only 见面 can be used:

Advanced Differences

见面 (jiànmiàn)is a special type of Chinese verb called a “separable verb”, meaning 见 and 面 can be “separated” and other “stuff” can be put in the middle. For a detailed understanding of this type of verb and its usage click on this link to our grammar wiki page.