列席 (liè xí) is a formal verb meaning 'to attend (a meeting or assembly) as a non-voting observer.' Literally, 列 means 'to stand in a row' or 'to be listed,' and 席 means 'seat' or 'banquet,' but together they evoke the image of being seated among participants without full membership rights. It emphasizes presence without decision-making authority—commonly used in political, academic, or organizational settings where observers are formally invited but do not vote or deliberate.

This term carries institutional weight and is rarely used in casual contexts. You’ll encounter it in official reports, minutes of congresses, university faculty meetings, or international delegations. Unlike general attendance words like 参加 (cānjiā), 列席 specifically signals an auxiliary, non-participatory role. It’s often paired with nouns like 会议 (huìyì, 'meeting'), 大会 (dàhuì, 'conference'), or 议会 (yìhuì, 'parliament'). The subject is typically an individual or delegation granted observer status by invitation or protocol.