Definition

1. Verb:
   • To have a personal interview with somebody: This is a formal and respectful verb used to describe the act of meeting someone of high status, such as a king, queen, leader, or a highly respected elder, in order to present oneself or have an audience.

Usage

• The word diện kiến is used in formal, respectful, and often historical or ceremonial contexts. It implies a meeting where the person being met holds a significantly higher position or authority.
• It is not used for casual meetings between equals. The subject is usually the person of lower status seeking the audience.

Examples

• Verb:
  • Các sứ thần đã được diện kiến nhà vua. (The envoys were granted an audience with the king.)
  • Ông ấy mong muốn được diện kiến Đức Giáo hoàng. (He wishes to have a personal audience with the Pope.)
  • Trong buổi lễ, công chúng có cơ hội diện kiến các vị lãnh đạo. (During the ceremony, the public had the opportunity to be presented before the leaders.)

Advanced Usage

• "được diện kiến": to be granted an audience with. This passive construction is very common, emphasizing the honor or permission received.
  • Tôi rất vinh dự được diện kiến ngài. (I am very honored to be granted an audience with you, sir.)

Variants and Related Words

• Yết kiến (verb): A near-synonym meaning to have an audience with a superior. It is also formal and respectful.
  • Yết kiến can sometimes imply a more specific purpose of paying respects or presenting a petition.
• Gặp mặt (verb): To meet, to see face-to-face. This is a general, neutral term for any meeting and is not respectful or formal like diện kiến.
• Tiếp kiến (verb): To grant an audience (from the perspective of the superior). The superior the subordinate.
  • Nhà vua tiếp kiến các quan. (The king granted an audience to the mandarins.)

Synonyms

• Have an audience with: To be received by a person of high rank.
• Be received by: To be formally met or welcomed by someone, often in an official capacity.

Related Phrases

• Diện kiến long nhan: (Idiomatic, historical) To have an audience with the emperor (literally: to see the emperor's face).
  • This phrase underscores the supreme formality and rarity of such an event.

Related Idioms

• "Một lần diện kiến": (An idiom) A single audience/meeting. This emphasizes the uniqueness and significance of the opportunity.
  • Đó là một lần diện kiến đáng nhớ trong đời ông. (That was a memorable audience in his life.)

1. Have a personal interview with somebody