碰见

pèngjiàn

to run into

HSK 5

Character Breakdown

Usage of 碰见

The verb 碰见 (pèng jiàn) is commonly used to describe unexpectedly running into someone or something. It implies a chance encounter rather than a planned meeting. This word is often used in everyday conversation when talking about meeting acquaintances or friends by coincidence.

Common Collocations

  • 碰见朋友 (pèngjiàn péngyǒu): to run into a friend
  • 碰见困难 (pèngjiàn kùnnan): to encounter difficulties (less common, more figurative)
  • 碰见问题 (pèngjiàn wèntí): to come across a problem

Notes

  • 碰见 emphasizes the accidental nature of the meeting, unlike 见面 (jiànmiàn), which is more neutral or planned.
  • It is often used with people but can also be used metaphorically for encountering problems or situations.
  • Avoid confusing 碰见 with (pèng dào), which is very similar but 碰见 often stresses the visual or face-to-face aspect of the encounter.

Register and Tone

This word is informal and suitable for daily spoken Chinese. It is not typically used in formal writing.

Example Sentences

我昨天在商场碰见了我的老同学。

Wǒ zuótiān zài shāngchǎng pèngjiàn le wǒ de lǎo tóngxué.

I ran into my old classmate at the mall yesterday.

你有没有碰见过他?

Nǐ yǒu méiyǒu pèngjiàn guo tā?

Have you ever run into him?

我们在路上碰见了一个老朋友,大家都很开心。

Wǒmen zài lùshàng pèngjiàn le yí gè lǎo péngyǒu, dàjiā dōu hěn kāixīn.

We ran into an old friend on the road, and everyone was very happy.