Learn a Chinese Character - 接

1. Character Basics

Radical: 扌/shǒu (shǒu radical, meaning hand, indicating actions performed with the hand)

Stroke Count: 11

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: jiē (first tone)

3. Meaning

To connect; to link; to meet; to receive; to greet; to take over; to continue; to join; to contact; to catch; to accept; to接任 (take over a position); to接待 (receive guests)

4. Common Words

• 接待 (jiēdài) - to receive, to host, to entertain

  我们公司有专业的团队接待客户。

  Our company has a professional team to receive clients.

• 连接 (liánjiē) - to connect, to link

  这条高速公路连接了两个城市。

  This highway connects two cities.

• 接受 (jiēshòu) - to accept, to receive

  我接受你的道歉。

  I accept your apology.

• 接触 (jiēchù) - to contact, to touch, to come into contact with

  我们需要多接触不同的文化。

  We need to come into contact with different cultures more.

• 接替 (jiētì) - to take over, to replace

  他将接替我的工作。

  He will take over my job.

• 衔接 (xiánjiē) - to link up, to join together

  这两个部分需要衔接好。

  These two parts need to be linked up well.

5. Grammar & Usage

The character 接 is primarily used as a verb with several important grammatical patterns:

• Transitive verb pattern:

  Used with an object to indicate the action of receiving or connecting

  Example: 他接电话了。 (He answered the phone.)

• Compound verbs:

  Frequently combined with other characters to form compound verbs

  Examples: 接待 (jiēdài) - to receive guests, 连接 (liánjiē) - to connect

• In the structure "接+人/物":

  Used to indicate receiving or meeting a person or thing

  Examples: 接朋友 (meet a friend), 接快递 (receive a package)

• In the structure "接+动词":

  Used to indicate continuing an action

  Examples: 接说 (continue speaking), 接做 (continue doing)

• In idiomatic expressions:

  Used in various idioms with specific meanings

  Example: 接踵而来 (jiē zhǒng ér lái) - to come one after another

• In formal contexts:

  Used in phrases like 接任 (jiērèn) - to take over a position, 接头 (jiētóu) - to make contact

接 is a versatile character that plays an important role in expressing connection, continuation, and reception in Chinese.

6. Cultural Background

The character 接 has significant cultural implications in Chinese society:

• In Chinese business culture, 接待 (jiēdài) or hospitality is highly valued as a way to build and maintain relationships.
• The concept of 连接 (liánjiē) has deep cultural roots, reflecting the Chinese emphasis on interconnectedness and harmony in relationships.
• Traditional Chinese etiquette places great importance on proper 接待 (receiving guests) with respect and generosity.
• The idiom 接风洗尘 (jiē fēng xǐ chén) - to welcome someone after a long journey - demonstrates the Chinese cultural value of hospitality.
• In Chinese philosophy, the idea of 天人合一 (tiān rén hé yī) - unity between heaven and humanity - reflects a belief in the fundamental connection between all things.
• Modern usage of 接 continues to evolve with technology, with new compounds like 接龙 (jiēlóng) -接龙 game, and 接口 (jiēkǒu) - interface.

The character 接 thus represents not just physical connection, but also the cultural concepts of relationship building, continuity, and harmony that are central to Chinese society.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character 接 (jiē) can be broken down into two parts:

• The left part is 扌 (shǒu), the hand radical, which indicates that this character is related to actions performed with the hand.
• The right part is 妾 (qiè), which provides the pronunciation clue and was originally a character meaning "concubine" or "secondary wife".

To remember this character:

1. Associate the 扌 radical with actions performed by the hand, such as receiving, connecting, or catching.
2. Practice writing the character several times, focusing on the correct stroke order: first the 扌 radical on the left, then the 妾 part on the right.
3. Connect the character to its most common use in everyday phrases like 接电话 (answer the phone) or 接待客人 (receive guests).
4. Use mnemonics: Imagine using your hand (扌) to "接" something, like catching a ball or receiving a gift.
5. Learn the character's multiple meanings by using it in different contexts, from physical actions (接水 - get water) to abstract concepts (接受挑战 - accept a challenge).
6. Notice how 接 is often part of compound words, and learn these compounds together to expand your vocabulary.