Word
応接
Meaning in Englishreception
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
応接 refers to the formal act or place of receiving visitors; it denotes a reception in which guests are greeted and entertained, and is commonly used in offices, hotels, and official settings.
Main meanings
- The formal reception of visitors or clients in a business or official context.
- The physical space used for receiving guests, typically a reception room or lounge in an office or hotel.
- The act of hosting or entertaining guests, often expressed with 応接する in formal language.
How to use it
Used in formal and business contexts to describe the act or space of receiving visitors; common phrases include 応接室 for a reception room and 応接を設ける to arrange such a reception; it's less common in casual speech and tends to appear in corporate, hotel, or official settings.
Variants and close terms
- 接待 (settai) — hosting guests or hospitality
- 応対 (outai) — handling or responding to visitors
- 応接室/応接間 (ousetsushitsu/ousetsuma) — variants referring to a reception room
Composition
- 応: respond, comply, answer
- 接: touch, connect, receive
Etymology
応 corresponds to responding or complying, 接 corresponds to touching, connecting, or receiving; the compound uses the on'yomi readings おう and せつ to yield ousetsu, a Sino-Japanese construction rather than a native development.
Word class
noun (名詞)
Related words by kanji and components
N2
一応
ichiou
tentatively, for the time being
N2
応ずる
ouzuru
to respond, to comply with
N2
応対
outai
receiving, dealing with
N2
応用
ouyou
application, put to practical use
N2
間接
kansetsu
indirect, indirectness
N2
接近
sekkin
getting closer, drawing nearer, approaching
N2
接する
sessuru
to attend to (someone); to associate with
N2
接続
setsuzoku
connection, union, join, link; changing trains
N3
応援
ouen
support, cheering, aid