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. ====== jìzhě zhāodàihuì: 记者招待会 - Press Conference, News Conference ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 记者招待会, jizhe zhaodaihui, press conference in Chinese, news conference Chinese, Chinese government press conference, corporate announcement China, 外交部记者招待会 (Wàijiāobù jìzhě zhāodàihuì), news briefing. * **Summary:** The term `记者招待会 (jìzhě zhāodàihuì)` is the standard Chinese word for a "press conference" or "news conference." It describes a formal event where an organization, such as a government ministry or a corporation, makes an announcement and answers questions from invited journalists. Understanding this term is key to following official news and major business developments in China. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jìzhě zhāodàihuì * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 5/6 * **Concise Definition:** A formal meeting where journalists are invited to hear a statement and ask questions. * **In a Nutshell:** `记者招待会` is a very literal term. It breaks down into "reporter" (记者) and "reception/conference" (招待会). It's the go-to phrase for any official media briefing, from the daily Ministry of Foreign Affairs updates to a tech company launching a new smartphone. It implies a structured, one-to-many format: one or more spokespeople addressing a room full of reporters. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **记 (jì):** To record, to remember, a mark. * **者 (zhě):** A suffix that indicates a person who performs an action, like "-er" in English. * Together, **记者 (jìzhě)** means "recorder-person" — a journalist or reporter. * **招 (zhāo):** To beckon, to summon, or to invite. * **待 (dài):** To receive or to treat (as a guest). * Together, **招待 (zhāodài)** means "to host" or "to receive guests." * **会 (huì):** A meeting, conference, or assembly. * Together, **招待会 (zhāodàihuì)** means a "reception" or a hosted meeting. When combined, `记者招待会 (jìzhě zhāodàihuì)` literally translates to a "reporter-reception-meeting," a perfectly descriptive name for a press conference. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== The concept of a press conference is universal, but its execution in China has unique cultural and political characteristics. Compared to a sometimes chaotic and confrontational White House press briefing in the U.S., major official `记者招待会` in China are often more formal, structured, and controlled. The primary goal is often the precise dissemination of an official position or message, rather than a free-wheeling, open-ended debate. This reflects a broader cultural value placed on order, harmony, and presenting a unified message. Questions from journalists, especially at high-level government events, may be pre-vetted or follow a predictable pattern. While tough questions can occur, the overall tone is typically more reserved and less adversarial than in some Western contexts. For a learner, it's important to see these events not just as Q&A sessions, but as carefully managed platforms for communication. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== `记者招待会` is a formal term used widely in news, government, and business. * **Government Announcements:** This is the most common context. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部, Wàijiāobù) holds a regular `记者招待会` on weekdays, which is broadcast internationally. These are key events for understanding China's official stance on global issues. * **Corporate Events:** Companies hold a `记者招待会` to launch new products, announce financial results, or address a public relations crisis. For example, a car company might hold one to unveil a new electric vehicle. * **Formality:** The term is formal. In casual conversation, you wouldn't use it to describe a simple chat. It always implies an organized event with media present. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 外交部发言人正在举行例行**记者招待会**。 * Pinyin: Wàijiāobù fāyánrén zhèngzài jǔxíng lìxíng **jìzhě zhāodàihuì**. * English: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson is holding the regular press conference. * Analysis: This is a very typical sentence you would hear in a Chinese news report. `例行 (lìxíng)` means "routine" or "regular." * **Example 2:** * 这家公司明天将为他们的新产品召开一个**记者招待会**。 * Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī míngtiān jiāng wèi tāmen de xīn chǎnpǐn zhàokāi yī ge **jìzhě zhāodàihuì**. * English: This company will hold a press conference for their new product tomorrow. * Analysis: `召开 (zhàokāi)` is a formal verb often used with meetings and conferences, meaning "to convene" or "to hold." * **Example 3:** * 你看了今天下午总理的**记者招待会**直播吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ kàn le jīntiān xiàwǔ zǒnglǐ de **jìzhě zhāodàihuì** zhíbō ma? * English: Did you watch the live broadcast of the Premier's press conference this afternoon? * Analysis: This shows how the term is used in everyday conversation when discussing current events. `直播 (zhíbō)` means "live broadcast." * **Example 4:** * 在**记者招待会**上，他回答了许多尖锐的问题。 * Pinyin: Zài **jìzhě zhāodàihuì** shàng, tā huídá le xǔduō jiānruì de wèntí. * English: At the press conference, he answered many sharp questions. * Analysis: `尖锐 (jiānruì)` means "sharp" or "incisive," showing that these conferences aren't always simple announcements. * **Example 5:** * 由于丑闻，该公司被迫举行紧急**记者招待会**。 * Pinyin: Yóuyú chǒuwén, gāi gōngsī bèi pò jǔxíng jǐnjí **jìzhě zhāodàihuì**. * English: Due to the scandal, the company was forced to hold an emergency press conference. * Analysis: This highlights its use in crisis management. `紧急 (jǐnjí)` means "emergency." * **Example 6:** * 每一位参加**记者招待会**的记者都收到了一个新闻资料袋。 * Pinyin: Měi yī wèi cānjiā **jìzhě zhāodàihuì** de jìzhě dōu shōudào le yī ge xīnwén zīliàodài. * English: Every journalist who attended the press conference received a press kit. * Analysis: This sentence provides context about the logistics of such an event. `资料袋 (zīliàodài)` is a "data bag" or folder with information. * **Example 7:** * **记者招待会**预计将持续一个小时。 * Pinyin: **Jìzhě zhāodàihuì** yùjì jiāng chíxù yī ge xiǎoshí. * English: The press conference is expected to last for one hour. * Analysis: `预计 (yùjì)` means "to estimate" or "to expect," a common word in formal announcements. * **Example 8:** * 他在**记者招待会**上的声明引起了广泛关注。 * Pinyin: Tā zài **jìzhě zhāodàihuì** shàng de shēngmíng yǐnqǐ le guǎngfàn guānzhù. * English: His statement at the press conference attracted widespread attention. * Analysis: This demonstrates the impact and purpose of holding a press conference. `引起关注 (yǐnqǐ guānzhù)` is a common phrase for "to attract attention." * **Example 9:** * 我们需要为下周的**记者招待会**准备好所有材料。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào wèi xià zhōu de **jìzhě zhāodàihuì** zhǔnbèi hǎo suǒyǒu cáiliào. * English: We need to prepare all the materials for next week's press conference. * Analysis: A practical sentence used within an organization that is planning the event. * **Example 10:** * 主持人宣布**记者招待会**现在开始。 * Pinyin: Zhǔchírén xuānbù **jìzhě zhāodàihuì** xiànzài kāishǐ. * English: The host announced that the press conference would now begin. * Analysis: `主持人 (zhǔchírén)` is the host or moderator, and `宣布 (xuānbù)` is the formal verb for "to announce." ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **Mistake: Confusing with a general meeting or interview.** * A `记者招待会` is a specific type of meeting. Do not use it interchangeably with: * **会议 (huìyì):** A general meeting or conference. A company's internal sales meeting is a `会议`, but not a `记者招待会`. * **采访 (cǎifǎng):** An interview. This is usually one-on-one or one-to-few (e.g., one reporter interviewing one CEO). A `记者招待会` is one-to-many. * **Incorrect:** 我今天下午要开一个**记者招待会**。 (If you're just meeting with your team.) * **Correct:** 我今天下午要开一个**会议**。 * **Correct:** 那位CEO拒绝了我们的**采访**请求。 (That CEO rejected our interview request.) * **Nuance: `记者招待会` vs. `新闻发布会 (xīnwén fābùhuì)`** * `新闻发布会` means "news release conference" and is a very close synonym. They are often used interchangeably. * If there is a subtle difference, `新闻发布会` emphasizes the act of "releasing" (发布) new information, while `记者招待会` emphasizes the act of "hosting reporters" (招待记者). In practice, you can use either for most situations. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[记者]] (jìzhě) - Reporter, journalist. The primary audience of a `记者招待会`. * [[新闻发布会]] (xīnwén fābùhuì) - News release conference. A very close synonym. * [[发言人]] (fāyánrén) - Spokesperson. The person who officially speaks at the event. * [[媒体]] (méitǐ) - Media. The collective term for newspapers, TV, and other news organizations. * [[采访]] (cǎifǎng) - To interview; an interview. A different format of interaction between a person and the media. * [[发布]] (fābù) - To release, to issue, to announce. This is the main action performed at a `新闻发布会`. * [[直播]] (zhíbō) - Live broadcast. How many modern press conferences are consumed by the public. * [[提问]] (tíwèn) - To ask a question. A key component of the Q&A session. * [[外交部]] (Wàijiāobù) - Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The host of China's most famous daily press conferences.