见外

見外

jiànwài

adjective HSK 7 #23,520

Meanings

1 to regard as an outsider
2 to be overly polite
3 to stand on ceremony

Characters

outside; outsider

Literally 'to treat as an outsider' — being overly polite or formal

Examples

你太见外了，别客气！

Nǐ tài jiànwài le, bié kèqi!

You're being too polite, don't stand on ceremony!

我们是好朋友，不要见外。

Wǒmen shì hǎo péngyou, búyào jiànwài.

We're good friends, don't be so formal.

Tips

usage

见外 is used to gently scold someone for being too polite or distant when you're supposed to be close. Very common in daily speech: 别见外 (don't be a stranger).

Stroke Order

见 jiàn

外 wài