audience
Loading your saved state.
audience
A formal reception or official appointment with a high-ranking person, such as the Pope, a king, or a head of state.
Der Botschafter erhielt eine Audienz beim Papst, um sein Beglaubigungsschreiben zu überreichen.
The ambassador received an audience with the Pope in order to present his credentials.
audience
Colloquially and often ironically, a conversation with a person who is very busy or acts important.
Nach einer Stunde Wartezeit gewährte mir der Abteilungsleiter endlich eine Audienz.
After waiting for an hour, the department head finally granted me an audience.
You can say 'eine Audienz bekommen' (to get an audience) or 'eine Audienz erhalten' (to receive an audience). A high-ranking person, however, 'gewährt jemandem eine Audienz' (grants someone an audience). Pay attention to the dative with 'gewähren' (to grant).
Die Journalistin bat um eine Audienz bei der Ministerin.
The journalist requested an audience with the minister.
In the formal meaning, 'Audienz' (audience) is used with high-ranking people. Typical phrases are 'eine Audienz beim Papst' (an audience with the Pope), 'bei der Königin' (with the Queen), or 'beim Staatspräsidenten' (with the president).
Für die Audienz bei der Königin musste er einen Anzug tragen.
For the audience with the Queen, he had to wear a suit.
You can recognize this meaning because it refers to ordinary supervisors or important people in everyday life, for example 'der Chef' (the boss) or 'der Professor' (the professor). The tone is usually slightly ironic or mocking.
Ich muss morgen zu meinem Professor, um eine Audienz zu erbitten.
Tomorrow I have to go to my professor to request an audience.
The ironic use of 'Audienz' (audience) for a normal conversation is purely colloquial. It expresses that you have to wait a long time for an appointment or that the other person takes themselves very seriously.
Nach drei Wochen hat mir der Chef endlich eine Audienz gewährt.
After three weeks, the boss finally granted me an audience.
reception
A Empfang is a social event where several guests are often welcomed and talk to one another. An Audienz, by contrast, is a formal, personally granted meeting with a high-ranking person. Use Empfang for an event for guests, and Audienz for an official personal meeting.
Der Präsident gewährt der Diplomatin am Abend eine persönliche Audienz.
The president is granting the diplomat a private audience that evening.
Der Präsident gibt am Abend einen Empfang für die Diplomaten.
The president is hosting a reception for the diplomats that evening.
