见面 literally means 'see face' — combining 见 (to see, to meet) and 面 (face, surface). Together, they form a verb meaning 'to meet (in person)', emphasizing physical presence rather than contact via phone, text, or video. It is commonly used when arranging or describing face-to-face encounters with friends, family, colleagues, or acquaintances.

This word implies intentionality and mutual awareness: you don’t 'meet' someone by accident in the sense of 见面 — it usually involves prior arrangement or shared expectation. It’s neutral in register, appropriate for both casual and formal contexts, though not typically used for first-time professional introductions (where 会见 or 会面 may be more precise). Unlike verbs like 约会 (to date), 见面 carries no romantic connotation unless context specifies it.