Definition
客套 refers to polite remarks or formalities exchanged as social courtesy, especially in initial greetings. It often appears in fixed patterns like 客套了几句 ('exchanged a few pleasantries') or 说些客套话 ('say some polite words'). While many everyday interactions include 客套, it can also imply insincerity if overdone.
n.
polite formulascivilitiesexchange of greetings (as a social courtesy)
Examples
- 。Jiànmiàn shí xiān shuō jǐ jù kè tào huà zài tán zhèngshì.When meeting, first say a few polite words before discussing business.
- 客套，。Zhōngguó rén zhī jiān yě hěn zhòngshì kè tào, dàn bìng bú dàibiǎo guānxì bù qīnmì.Chinese people also value civilities among themselves, but it doesn't mean the relationship isn't close.
- ，。Tā shuō de kè tào huà suīrán hǎotīng, dàn dōu shì xíngshì.The polite words he said, though pleasant to hear, were all formalities.
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