audience
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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.
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.
visit / visitor
'der Besuch' and 'die Audienz' both have to do with going to see or being received by a person. 'Besuch' is the normal word for private, professional, or general situations: you visit friends, relatives, a medical practice, or a place. 'Audienz' is much more specific and formal. It means an official audience with a very high-ranking person, for example a king or the Pope. Colloquially, 'Audienz' can also sound ironic when someone is hard to get hold of or acts very important. The risk of confusion is that both can involve an encounter, but 'Audienz' only fits in special or ironic contexts.
Die Gruppe hatte am Vormittag eine Audienz beim Papst.
The group had an audience with the Pope in the morning.
Am Sonntag bekommen wir Besuch von meiner Tante.
On Sunday, my aunt is coming to visit us.