Definition
见外 (jiàn wài) means treating close friends or family like outsiders by being overly formal — it has a negative nuance of creating distance. 客气 (kè qi) is neutral politeness (e.g., 别客气), while 好客 (hào kè) means being warmly hospitable. Use 见外 when formality feels inappropriate for the relationship.
adjective
to treat someone as an outsiderto be overly formal (especially among friends or close acquaintances)
Examples
- ，见外。Dàjiā dōu shì hǎo péngyou, nǐ jiù bié jiàn wài le.We're all good friends, so don't be so formal.
- 见外，。Nǐ zhèyàng shuō jiù jiàn wài le, wǒmen dōu rènshi zhème duō nián le.Saying that makes you sound like a stranger; we've known each other for so many years.
- 见外？？Nǐ jīntiān zěnme zhème jiàn wài? Shì bú shì yǒu shénme bù kāixīn de shì?Why are you being so formal today? Is there something that's upsetting you?
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