Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== huìyì: 会议 - Meeting, Conference ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 会议, huiyi, what does huiyi mean, Chinese for meeting, Chinese for conference, business meeting in China, 開會, 开会, kāihuì, formal meeting, Chinese business culture * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **会议 (huìyì)**, which means "meeting" or "conference." This comprehensive guide explores its meaning, cultural significance in Chinese business, and practical, everyday usage. We break down how to properly use **会议** as a noun and the crucial related verb **开会 (kāihuì)**, meaning "to have a meeting." With over 10 example sentences and cultural insights, you'll master how to talk about and navigate meetings in China. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** huìyì * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 * **Concise Definition:** A planned gathering of people for discussion or a specific purpose; a meeting or conference. * **In a Nutshell:** **会议 (huìyì)** is the standard, formal word for any organized meeting. Think of a business meeting, a team huddle, a parent-teacher meeting, or a large international conference. It implies a structured agenda and a clear purpose, setting it apart from a casual chat or a social get-together. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **会 (huì):** This character's ancient form depicted people gathering under a roof. Its core meaning is "to meet," "to gather," or "an assembly." * **议 (yì):** This character is composed of the "speech" radical `讠` on the left and `义` (yì), which means "meaning" or "righteousness," on the right. Together, `议` means "to discuss," "to deliberate," or "an opinion." When combined, **会议 (huìyì)** literally means a "gathering for discussion," perfectly capturing the essence of a meeting. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In Western, particularly American, business culture, meetings are often seen as forums for open debate, brainstorming, and challenging ideas to find the best solution. In China, the function of a **会议 (huìyì)** can be quite different due to cultural values like collectivism, hierarchy, and `面子 (miànzi)` or "face." A Chinese **会议** is often not the place where a decision is made, but rather the place where a decision that has already been made behind the scenes is formally announced and consensus is solidified. The primary goals are often to: 1. **Reinforce Hierarchy:** The seating arrangement, who speaks first, and who is allowed to speak at all clearly communicates the power structure. Publicly disagreeing with a superior is a major faux pas that would cause them to lose face. 2. **Build Consensus:** The meeting serves to get everyone on the same page and align with the leadership's direction. It is a tool for creating group harmony, not fostering individual debate. 3. **Disseminate Information:** It's a top-down method for managers and leaders to deliver instructions, updates, and strategies to their subordinates. While modern companies are adopting more Western-style brainstorming sessions, the traditional, formal nature of the **会议** remains deeply ingrained in Chinese corporate and government culture. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **会议 (huìyì)** is a high-frequency word, especially in professional and official settings. The most common way to talk about the *action* of having a meeting is with the verb-object phrase `开会 (kāihuì)`, which literally means "to open a meeting." *** In Business and Government *** This is the most common context. You'll constantly hear people say they need to `开会 (kāihuì)`. * "I'm in a meeting." - `我在开会。(Wǒ zài kāihuì.)` * "We have a meeting this afternoon." - `我们下午有个会议。(Wǒmen xiàwǔ yǒu ge huìyì.)` *** In Daily Life *** While not used for casual get-togethers, **会议** appears in more structured civilian contexts. * Parent-teacher conference: `家长会 (jiāzhǎnghuì)` * Homeowners' association meeting: `业主会议 (yèzhǔ huìyì)` *** Formality *** **会议** is neutral to formal. For an informal get-together with friends, you would use `聚会 (jùhuì)`. For a casual chat, you'd use `聊天 (liáotiān)`. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 我们明天上午九点有一个重要的**会议**。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen míngtiān shàngwǔ jiǔ diǎn yǒu yí ge zhòngyào de **huìyì**. * English: We have an important meeting at 9 AM tomorrow. * Analysis: A standard, common sentence. Note the use of `有 (yǒu)` to mean "to have" a meeting (noun). * **Example 2:** * 你能帮我预订一间**会议**室吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ néng bāng wǒ yùdìng yì jiān **huìyì**shì ma? * English: Can you help me book a conference room? * Analysis: This shows how **会议** can be combined with `室 (shì)` meaning "room" to form the compound noun `会议室 (huìyìshì)`. * **Example 3:** * 对不起，我现在正在开会，晚点给你回电话。 * Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, wǒ xiànzài zhèngzài kāihuì, wǎndiǎn gěi nǐ huí diànhuà. * English: Sorry, I'm in a meeting right now, I'll call you back later. * Analysis: This sentence uses `开会 (kāihuì)`, the verb form. This is more common in spoken Chinese than saying `我正在一个会议里 (wǒ zhèngzài yí ge huìyì lǐ)`. * **Example 4:** * 这次**会议**的议程是什么？ * Pinyin: Zhè cì **huìyì** de yìchéng shì shénme? * English: What is the agenda for this meeting? * Analysis: Introduces a key related term, `议程 (yìchéng)`, meaning "agenda." * **Example 5:** * 老板要求所有员工都必须参加年度**会议**。 * Pinyin: Lǎobǎn yāoqiú suǒyǒu yuángōng dōu bìxū cānjiā niándù **huìyì**. * English: The boss requires all employees to attend the annual conference. * Analysis: `参加会议 (cānjiā huìyì)` means "to participate in/attend a meeting." `年度 (niándù)` means "annual." * **Example 6:** * **会议**开了三个小时，大家都累了。 * Pinyin: **Huìyì** kāi le sān ge xiǎoshí, dàjiā dōu lèi le. * English: The meeting went on for three hours, and everyone was tired. * Analysis: Here, `开 (kāi)` is used as the verb for the subject `会议`. This structure emphasizes the meeting itself as the actor. * **Example 7:** * 由于技术问题，我们不得不推迟**会议**。 * Pinyin: Yóuyú jìshù wèntí, wǒmen bùdébù tuīchí **huìyì**. * English: Due to technical issues, we had to postpone the meeting. * Analysis: `推迟会议 (tuīchí huìyì)` is a useful phrase meaning "to postpone a meeting." * **Example 8:** * 他将代表公司去北京参加一个国际**会议**。 * Pinyin: Tā jiāng dàibiǎo gōngsī qù Běijīng cānjiā yí ge guójì **huìyì**. * English: He will represent the company to attend an international conference in Beijing. * Analysis: Shows how **会议** can scale up to mean "conference." `国际 (guójì)` means "international." * **Example 9:** * **会议**结束后，请把会议纪要发给大家。 * Pinyin: **Huìyì** jiéshù hòu, qǐng bǎ huìyì jìyào fā gěi dàjiā. * English: After the meeting ends, please send the meeting minutes to everyone. * Analysis: Introduces another useful business term, `会议纪要 (huìyì jìyào)`, or "meeting minutes." * **Example 10:** * 他在**会议**上提出了一个很好的建议。 * Pinyin: Tā zài **huìyì** shàng tíchū le yí ge hěn hǎo de jiànyì. * English: He put forward a very good suggestion at the meeting. * Analysis: `在会议上 (zài huìyì shàng)` literally means "on the meeting" and is the standard way to say "at/in the meeting." ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **`会议` (noun) vs. `开会` (verb):** This is the most critical distinction for learners. **会议** is the *thing* (a meeting). **开会 (kāihuì)** is the *action* (to have a meeting). * **Incorrect:** `我明天要会议。` (Wǒ míngtiān yào huìyì.) * **Correct:** `我明天要**开会**。` (Wǒ míngtiān yào kāihuì.) * **Correct:** `我明天有**一个会议**。` (Wǒ míngtiān yǒu yí ge huìyì.) * **"False Friend": `会议` (huìyì) vs. `约会` (yuēhuì):** This is a classic pitfall. While they both involve meeting people, their connotations are completely different. * **`会议 (huìyì)`** is a professional or formal meeting. * **`约会 (yuēhuì)`** is a social appointment, and most often, a romantic **date**. * **Incorrect Usage:** `我和我女朋友晚上有个会议。` (Wǒ hé wǒ nǚpéngyou wǎnshang yǒu ge huìyì.) - This sounds like you're having a business meeting with your girlfriend. * **Correct Usage:** `我和我女朋友晚上有个**约会**。` (Wǒ hé wǒ nǚpéngyou wǎnshang yǒu ge yuēhuì.) * **Formality:** Do not use **会议** to describe a casual plan to meet a friend for coffee. For that, you would use `见面 (jiànmiàn)` (to meet up) or `聚会 (jùhuì)` (a get-together/party). ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[开会]] (kāihuì) - The essential verb phrase "to hold a meeting" or "to attend a meeting." * [[会议室]] (huìyìshì) - Conference room; meeting room. (Literally "meeting room"). * [[参加]] (cānjiā) - The verb "to participate in" or "to attend," frequently used with `会议`. * [[议程]] (yìchéng) - The agenda for a meeting. * [[会谈]] (huìtán) - More formal than `会议`; refers to "talks" or "negotiations," often at a high level (e.g., diplomatic talks). * [[座谈会]] (zuòtánhuì) - A symposium, forum, or panel discussion. Emphasizes sitting and talking together. * [[聚会]] (jùhuì) - An informal party or social gathering; the social counterpart to the professional `会议`. * [[约会]] (yuēhuì) - A social appointment or a romantic date. Crucial to distinguish from `会议`. * [[主席]] (zhǔxí) - The chairperson of a meeting, committee, or even a country. * [[讨论]] (tǎolùn) - To discuss; the core activity of many meetings. A `讨论会 (tǎolùnhuì)` is a "discussion meeting."