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| 接受 [2025/08/10 09:00] – created xiaoer | 接受 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
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| ====== jiēshòu: 接受 - To Accept, To Receive ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** 接受, jieshou, accept in Chinese, receive in Chinese, accept criticism, accept a gift, accept an apology, Chinese verb for accept, 接受 vs 收到, HSK 4 vocabulary. | |
| * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese verb **接受 (jiēshòu)**, meaning "to accept" or "to receive." This versatile HSK 4 word goes beyond just taking physical objects; it's crucial for understanding how to accept ideas, apologies, criticism, and job offers in China. This guide breaks down its cultural nuances, practical usage, and how it differs from similar words like 收到 (shōudào), providing clear examples to help you use it correctly in both formal and everyday situations. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jiēshòu | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Verb | |
| * **HSK Level:** 4 | |
| * **Concise Definition:** To accept or receive something offered, whether tangible (a gift) or intangible (an idea, criticism). | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** **接受 (jiēshòu)** is about the conscious decision to take something in. It’s not just about something arriving in your possession; it's about the mental and often formal act of agreement to receive it. Think of it as opening your hands and your mind to what is being offered. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **接 (jiē):** This character means "to connect," "to meet," or "to receive." The left side, the hand radical (扌), depicts an action done with the hand. It paints a picture of reaching out to connect with or take something. | |
| * **受 (shòu):** This character means "to receive," "to suffer," or "to be subjected to." It often implies a more passive state of reception. | |
| * The combination **接受 (jiēshòu)** brings these two ideas together. **接 (jiē)** is the active motion of connecting, while **受 (shòu)** is the state of receiving. Together, they form a complete and unambiguous word for the act of "accepting." | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| In Western cultures, acceptance is often a straightforward, personal decision. In Chinese culture, the act of **接受 (jiēshòu)** can be deeply intertwined with social dynamics, respect, and "face" (面子, miànzi). | |
| A key difference is seen in the context of criticism. In many Western workplaces, receiving criticism can lead to a debate or a defensive posture. In a traditional Chinese context, to **接受批评 (jiēshòu pīpíng)**, or accept criticism, from a superior or elder is a sign of humility and respect. It doesn't always mean you agree with the criticism, but it shows you are listening and value the relationship and hierarchy. Refusing to even "receive" the feedback can cause the other person to lose face and damage the relationship. | |
| Similarly, accepting or declining a gift involves more than personal want. A thoughtful refusal might be necessary to avoid making the giver feel you are now indebted to them (a concept related to 人情, rénqíng). However, an outright, blunt refusal can be insulting. The act of **接受 (jiēshòu)** is therefore a nuanced social signal that reflects on both the giver and the receiver. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| **接受 (jiēshòu)** is a standard, widely used term appropriate in most neutral-to-formal contexts. | |
| * **Accepting Tangible Items:** This is the most direct usage, such as for gifts or awards. | |
| * //我很高兴**接受**这个奖项。// (Wǒ hěn gāoxìng **jiēshòu** zhège jiǎngxiàng.) - I am very happy to **accept** this award. | |
| * **Accepting Intangible Things:** This is where the word shows its versatility. It's used for concepts, feelings, and social agreements. | |
| * **Apologies/Criticism:** //他**接受**了我的道歉。// (Tā **jiēshòu** le wǒ de dàoqiàn.) - He **accepted** my apology. | |
| * **Ideas/Suggestions:** //我们**接受**了你的建议。// (Wǒmen **jiēshòu** le nǐ de jiànyì.) - We **accepted** your suggestion. | |
| * **Facts/Reality:** //你必须**接受**现实。// (Nǐ bìxū **jiēshòu** xiànshí.) - You must **accept** reality. | |
| * **Formal/Professional Contexts:** It is the standard term for formal agreements. | |
| * **Job Offers:** //她**接受**了新的工作邀请。// (Tā **jiēshòu** le xīn de gōngzuò yāoqǐng.) - She **accepted** the new job offer. | |
| * **Terms & Conditions:** //点击“同意”即表示您**接受**以上条款。// (Diǎnjī “tóngyì” jí biǎoshì nín **jiēshòu** yǐshàng tiáokuǎn.) - Clicking "Agree" means you **accept** the above terms. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 她开心地**接受**了我的礼物。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā kāixīn de **jiēshòu** le wǒ de lǐwù. | |
| * English: She happily **accepted** my gift. | |
| * Analysis: A straightforward example of accepting a tangible object. The adverb 开心地 (kāixīn de) shows her positive emotion upon acceptance. | |
| * **Example 2:** | |
| * 我诚恳地向你道歉，希望你能**接受**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ chéngkěn de xiàng nǐ dàoqiàn, xīwàng nǐ néng **jiēshòu**. | |
| * English: I sincerely apologize to you, I hope you can **accept** it. | |
| * Analysis: Here, **接受** is used for an intangible concept—an apology. It implies forgiveness and moving on. | |
| * **Example 3:** | |
| * 作为一名管理者，你必须学会**接受**批评。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng guǎnlǐzhě, nǐ bìxū xuéhuì **jiēshòu** pīpíng. | |
| * English: As a manager, you must learn to **accept** criticism. | |
| * Analysis: This highlights the professional and personal development aspect of **接受**, linking it to maturity and leadership. | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 很抱歉，我们不能**接受**您的申请。 | |
| * Pinyin: Hěn bàoqiàn, wǒmen bùnéng **jiēshòu** nín de shēnqǐng. | |
| * English: We're sorry, we cannot **accept** your application. | |
| * Analysis: The negative form, **不接受 (bù jiēshòu)** or **不能接受 (bùnéng jiēshòu)**, is a formal way of rejecting something. | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 他花了好长时间才**接受**了失败的现实。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā huā le hǎo cháng shíjiān cái **jiēshòu** le shībài de xiànshí. | |
| * English: It took him a long time to **accept** the reality of his failure. | |
| * Analysis: This shows **接受** as a process of coming to terms with a difficult truth. | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 你愿意**接受**这个挑战吗？ | |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ yuànyì **jiēshòu** zhège tiǎozhàn ma? | |
| * English: Are you willing to **accept** this challenge? | |
| * Analysis: Used to propose a challenge, requiring the other person's active agreement and participation. | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 所有新员工都必须**接受**为期一周的培训。 | |
| * Pinyin: Suǒyǒu xīn yuángōng dōu bìxū **jiēshòu** wéiqī yī zhōu de péixùn. | |
| * English: All new employees must **accept** (undergo) a one-week training period. | |
| * Analysis: In this context, **接受** is similar to "to undergo" or "to receive" training. It's a required action. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 这个价格太高了，我无法**接受**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhège jiàgé tài gāo le, wǒ wúfǎ **jiēshòu**. | |
| * English: This price is too high, I cannot **accept** it. | |
| * Analysis: A common phrase in negotiation. **无法接受 (wúfǎ jiēshòu)** means "unable to accept" and is a strong but polite way to refuse. | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 我们乐于**接受**任何形式的帮助。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒmen lèyú **jiēshòu** rènhé xíngshì de bāngzhù. | |
| * English: We are happy to **accept** any form of help. | |
| * Analysis: **乐于 (lèyú)** means "to be happy to / be willing to." Paired with **接受**, it creates a very open and welcoming tone. | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 他的理论最初不被人**接受**，但现在被广泛认可。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā de lǐlùn zuìchū bù bèi rén **jiēshòu**, dàn xiànzài bèi guǎngfàn rènkě. | |
| * English: His theory was not **accepted** by people at first, but now it is widely recognized. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence uses the passive voice with **被 (bèi)**, showing that the subject (the theory) is the recipient of the action of acceptance. | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| The most common mistake for learners is confusing **接受 (jiēshòu)** with **收到 (shōudào)**. | |
| * **接受 (jiēshòu) - To Accept:** Implies a conscious decision, agreement, and approval. It's about your mind and will. | |
| * **收到 (shōudào) - To Receive:** Implies only the physical act of something arriving. It's about your hands or your inbox. | |
| Think of it this way: | |
| * You **收到** an email with a job offer. (The email arrived in your inbox.) | |
| * After considering it, you decide to **接受** the job offer. (You agree to take the job.) | |
| **Incorrect Usage:** | |
| * **Incorrect:** //我昨天**接受**了你的包裹。// (Wǒ zuótiān **jiēshòu** le nǐ de bāoguǒ.) | |
| * **Why it's wrong:** This sounds overly formal, as if you had to deliberate and formally approve of receiving the package. You simply received it physically. | |
| * **Correct:** //我昨天**收到**了你的包裹。// (Wǒ zuótiān **shōudào** le nǐ de bāoguǒ.) - I **received** your package yesterday. | |
| You can use both in one sentence to see the difference clearly: | |
| * //我**收到**了你的邀请，但我不能**接受**。// (Wǒ **shōudào** le nǐ de yāoqǐng, dàn wǒ bùnéng **jiēshòu**.) - I **received** your invitation, but I cannot **accept** it. | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[收到]] (shōudào) - To physically receive. The key distinction from **接受**, which is to mentally or formally accept. | |
| * [[同意]] (tóngyì) - To agree. This is about agreeing with an opinion or a course of action, while **接受** is about accepting something offered to you. | |
| * [[拒绝]] (jùjué) - To refuse, to reject. This is the direct antonym of **接受**. | |
| * [[承认]] (chéngrèn) - To admit, to acknowledge. You **承认** a mistake (admit you did it), and you might hope the other person will **接受** your apology. | |
| * [[采纳]] (cǎinà) - To adopt (a suggestion, a plan). More specific and formal than **接受**. It implies choosing one option among many and putting it into action. | |
| * [[领取]] (lǐngqǔ) - To collect, to go and get something that is yours (e.g., a salary, a certificate). It's an active retrieval, not a passive reception. | |
| * [[包容]] (bāoróng) - To be tolerant of, to embrace. A broader, more profound type of acceptance, often related to accepting people's flaws or different cultures. | |