慰问

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慰问 [2025/08/05 01:46] – created xiaoer慰问 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1
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-====== wèiwèn: 慰问 - To Express Sympathy and Condolences, To Comfort ====== +
-===== Quick Summary ===== +
-  * **Keywords:** wèiwèn, weiwen, 慰问, express sympathy in Chinese, offer condolences in Chinese, comfort someone in Chinese, Chinese word for sympathy, what is weiwen, weiwen meaning, 慰问品, 安慰 vs 慰问, HSK 5 +
-  * **Summary:** Learn the Chinese word **慰问 (wèiwèn)**, which means to express sympathy, condolences, or comfort. More than just saying "I'm sorry," `慰问` is a formal, often official act of showing support to those facing significant hardship, such as illness, bereavement, or disaster. This page explores its cultural significance, practical usage in modern China, and how it differs from the more personal act of comforting (安慰, ānwèi). +
-===== Core Meaning ===== +
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** wèiwèn +
-  * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Noun +
-  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 +
-  * **Concise Definition:** To express sympathy, condolences, or comfort to someone who is suffering. +
-  * **In a Nutshell:** Think of `慰问` as a formal gesture of support. It’s not just about feeling sorry for someone; it’s about the action of showing up, inquiring about their situation, and offering comfort, often on behalf of a group or organization. Imagine a company CEO visiting a sick employee in the hospital, or a government leader touring a flood-ravaged town. That action is `慰问`. It carries a sense of social duty and formal care. +
-===== Character Breakdown ===== +
-  * **慰 (wèi):** This character means "to comfort" or "to console." It's made of 尉 (yù/wèi), which provides the sound, and 心 (xīn), the "heart" radical. So, `慰` literally means to soothe someone's heart. +
-  * **问 (wèn):** This character means "to ask" or "to inquire." The ancient pictograph shows a mouth (口, kǒu) inside a gate (门, mén), representing someone at a door asking a question. +
-  * The two characters combine to mean "to ask (about someone's situation) in order to comfort them." It highlights that this form of comfort is active and inquisitive, not passive. You are going to the person to check on them and offer solace. +
-===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== +
-  * **Collectivism in Action:** `慰问` is a powerful reflection of China's collectivist culture. While Western sympathy is often a private, individual-to-individual affair, `慰问` is frequently a public or group-oriented act. A company sending a delegation to `慰问` a bereaved employee's family isn't just about the individuals who visit; it's a statement that the entire company, as a collective unit, cares for its members. This reinforces social bonds and the idea that the group provides a safety net for the individual. +
-  * **Comparison to Western "Condolences":** In English, we "offer condolences" or "express sympathy," which are primarily verbal acts. `慰问` is much more physical and performative. It almost always implies a visit (`探望, tànwàng`) and often involves bringing gifts, known as **慰问品 (wèiwènpǐn)**, such as fruit, nutritional supplements, or a red envelope with cash (`慰问金, wèiwènjīn`). This material aspect is not seen as crass but as a practical way of showing support and helping to ease the person's burden. The act of `慰问` by a leader or official is a crucial social duty, demonstrating responsibility and care for their constituents or employees. +
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== +
-  * **Formal & Official Situations:** This is the most common context. +
-    *   **Government:** Officials will `慰问` victims of natural disasters, heroic soldiers, or elderly veterans, often with media present. +
-    *   **Companies:** A manager or HR representative will `慰问` an employee who is hospitalized or has suffered a family loss. +
-    *   **Schools:** A principal or teacher might `慰问` a student whose family is going through a difficult time. +
-  * **Social Situations:** While more formal than its counterpart `安慰 (ānwèi)`, it can be used among friends for serious situations. For example, if a close friend's parent passes away, you and a group of other friends might go together to `慰问` them and their family. Using this term signals the gravity of the situation and the formality of your support. +
-  * **As a Noun:** `慰问` can also function as a noun. +
-    *   `表示慰问 (biǎoshì wèiwèn)` - To express sympathy/condolences. +
-    *   `致以亲切的慰问 (zhìyǐ qīnqiè de wèiwèn)` - To extend sincere condolences. +
-===== Example Sentences ===== +
-  * **Example 1:** +
-    * 公司领导去医院**慰问**了生病的员工。 +
-    * Pinyin: Gōngsī lǐngdǎo qù yīyuàn **wèiwèn** le shēngbìng de yuángōng. +
-    * English: The company leaders went to the hospital to comfort the sick employee. +
-    * Analysis: This is a classic example of `慰问` in a corporate context. It's a formal, official act of care from the employer to the employee. +
-  * **Example 2:** +
-    * 地震后,总理亲自到灾区**慰问**灾民。 +
-    * Pinyin: Dìzhèn hòu, zǒnglǐ qīnzì dào zāiqū **wèiwèn** zāimín. +
-    * English: After the earthquake, the premier personally went to the disaster area to express sympathy to the victims. +
-    * Analysis: Here, `慰问` is a high-level, official act. The premier's visit is a public demonstration of the government's support and concern. +
-  * **Example 3:** +
-    * 听到他父亲去世的消息,我们都去他家向他表示了**慰问**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tīngdào tā fùqīn qùshì de xiāoxī, wǒmen dōu qù tā jiā xiàng tā biǎoshì le **wèiwèn**. +
-    * English: After hearing the news of his father's passing, we all went to his home to express our condolences to him. +
-    * Analysis: In this sentence, `慰问` is used as a noun (`表示慰问`). This shows friends performing a collective, formal act of support for a serious life event. +
-  * **Example 4:** +
-    * 大使代表我国政府向遇难者家属致以深切的**慰问**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Dàshǐ dàibiǎo wǒguó zhèngfǔ xiàng yùmànzhě jiāshǔ zhìyǐ shēnqiè de **wèiwèn**. +
-    * English: The ambassador, on behalf of our country's government, extended deep condolences to the families of the victims. +
-    * Analysis: This demonstrates `慰问` used in a formal diplomatic context. `致以...慰问` (zhìyǐ...wèiwèn) is a very formal set phrase for "to extend...condolences." +
-  * **Example 5:** +
-    * 他们不仅来**慰问**,还带来了一些慰问品。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tāmen bùjǐn lái **wèiwèn**, hái dàilái le yīxiē wèiwènpǐn. +
-    * English: They not only came to express sympathy, but also brought some comforting gifts. +
-    * Analysis: This sentence explicitly mentions `慰问品 (wèiwènpǐn)`, highlighting the material aspect often associated with the act of `慰问`. +
-  * **Example 6:** +
-    * 春节前,社区工作人员会去**慰问**孤寡老人。 +
-    * Pinyin: Chūnjié qián, shèqū gōngzuò rényuán huì qù **wèiwèn** gūguǎ lǎorén. +
-    * English: Before the Spring Festival, community workers will visit and comfort the solitary elderly. +
-    * Analysis: This shows `慰问` as a scheduled, regular act of social care, reinforcing community responsibility. +
-  * **Example 7:** +
-    * 我收到了很多朋友的**慰问**电话和短信。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒ shōudào le hěnduō péngyǒu de **wèiwèn** diànhuà hé duǎnxìn. +
-    * English: I received many calls and text messages of condolence from my friends. +
-    * Analysis: Here, `慰问` is used as a noun to describe the nature of the calls and texts. It implies the messages were specifically to comfort the speaker for a significant hardship. +
-  * **Example 8:** +
-    * 校长写了一封慰问信,**慰问**了那位在事故中受伤的学生。 +
-    * Pinyin: Xiàozhǎng xiěle yī fēng wèiwènxìn, **wèiwèn** le nà wèi zài shìgù zhōng shòushāng de xuéshēng. +
-    * English: The principal wrote a letter of sympathy to comfort the student who was injured in the accident. +
-    * Analysis: This introduces the related term `慰问信 (wèiwènxìn)`, a formal letter of sympathy, and shows `慰问` used as the main verb. +
-  * **Example 9:** +
-    * 面对大家的**慰问**,她感动得流下了眼泪。 +
-    * Pinyin: Miànduì dàjiā de **wèiwèn**, tā gǎndòng de liúxià le yǎnlèi. +
-    * English: Faced with everyone's expressions of sympathy, she was moved to tears. +
-    * Analysis: This example uses `慰问` as a noun and focuses on the emotional impact of receiving such formal, collective support. +
-  * **Example 10:** +
-    * 谢谢你的**慰问**,我现在好多了。 +
-    * Pinyin: Xièxiè nǐ de **wèiwèn**, wǒ xiànzài hǎo duō le. +
-    * English: Thank you for your condolences/comfort, I'm feeling much better now. +
-    * Analysis: A simple and direct way to thank someone for their formal expression of sympathy. This is a polite response after someone has performed the act of `慰问`. +
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== +
-  * **Don't use it for trivial things.** A common mistake for learners is to use `慰问` for minor issues. You would not `慰问` a friend who failed an exam, had a bad day, or broke up with their boyfriend/girlfriend. In those cases, the situation isn't severe enough to warrant such a formal term. +
-    *   **Incorrect:** 我没通过考试,我朋友来**慰问**我。(Wǒ méi tōngguò kǎoshì, wǒ péngyǒu lái **wèiwèn** wǒ.) - "I failed the test, so my friend came to `慰问` me." +
-    *   **Correct:** 我没通过考试,我朋友来**安慰**我。(Wǒ méi tōngguò kǎoshì, wǒ péngyǒu lái **ānwèi** wǒ.) - "I failed the test, so my friend came to **comfort** me." +
-  * **`慰问 (wèiwèn)` vs. `安慰 (ānwèi)`:** This is the most critical distinction. +
-    *   **安慰 (ānwèi)** means "to comfort" or "to console." It's about the **emotional act** of soothing someone's feelings. It is personal, can be informal, and is used for a wide range of troubles, big or small. You can `安慰` a crying child or a disappointed friend. +
-    *   **慰问 (wèiwèn)** is about the **social act** of formally expressing sympathy for a **major hardship**. It's often done by a group or a representative, is more formal, and implies a physical visit or official communication. +
-===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== +
-  * [[安慰]] (ānwèi) - To comfort or console. More personal, emotional, and less formal than `慰问`. The most common word for "comfort." +
-  * [[同情]] (tóngqíng) - Sympathy or pity. This is the feeling of sympathy itself, whereas `慰问` is the action of expressing it. +
-  * [[关怀]] (guānhuái) - To show care and concern. A broader term that can be used in everyday life, not just for major hardships. A teacher shows `关怀` for their students' progress. +
-  * [[慰问品]] (wèiwènpǐn) - Gifts brought during a `慰问` visit, like fruit, flowers, or special foods. +
-  * [[慰问金]] (wèiwènjīn) - A monetary gift of sympathy, often given in a red or white envelope. +
-  * [[吊唁]] (diàoyàn) - To offer condolences for a death. This is extremely formal and used specifically for bereavement. +
-  * [[探望]] (tànwàng) - To visit (someone). This is the action that is often part of `慰问`, e.g., `去医院探望并慰问他` (qù yīyuàn tànwàng bìng wèiwèn tā) - "to visit him in the hospital and express sympathy." +
-  * [[哀悼]] (āidào) - To mourn or grieve. Often used for public mourning of a national figure or in memory of a tragic event.+