The Kanji: 謁 (Etsu)
The kanji 謁 (read as etsu) carries the specific and formal meaning of "audience," "to have an audience with," or "to be granted an interview" with a person of high rank, such as a sovereign, noble, or high-ranking official. It is composed of the radical 言 (speech/language) and the component 曷, which contributes to its sound and reinforces the idea of a formal verbal exchange or request.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 謁見 (ekken)
Meaning: An audience (with royalty or a high dignitary).
Example Sentence: 大使は天皇に謁見を許された。
(Taishi wa tennō ni ekken o yurusareta.)
"The ambassador was granted an audience with the Emperor."
2. 拝謁 (haietsu)
Meaning: A respectful audience; the honor of having an audience (the prefix 拝 adds a layer of humility).
Example Sentence: 首相が教皇に拝謁した。
(Shushō ga kyōkō ni haietsu shita.)
"The Prime Minister was received in a respectful audience by the Pope."
3. 謁する (essuru)
Meaning: To have an audience with.
Example Sentence: 彼は社長に謁することを切望した。
(Kare wa shachō ni essuru koto o setsubō shita.)
"He eagerly sought to have an audience with the company president."
In summary, 謁 is a highly formal kanji used exclusively for the act of a formal meeting with a superior. It is most commonly found in words like 謁見 and 拝謁, which describe a respectful, often ceremonial, interview with a person of high status.