jiēshòu: 接受 - To Accept, To Receive

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.”

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.

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 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.

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.

• 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.