Definition
待客 is a separable verb-object compound (离合词) meaning 'to receive guests' or 'to entertain visitors'. The verb 待 (dài) and the object 客 (kè) can split when inserting duration, frequency, or modifiers — for example, 待了一天的客 ('entertained guests for a whole day'). Note: the standard pronunciation of 待 in this compound is dài, though the source pinyin lists dāi (which is a common colloquial variant for the verb 'to stay'; for 'to treat/receive', dài is standard). Use 待客 when talking about hospitality in a home or formal setting.
v.o.
to receive gueststo entertain visitors
Examples
- 待客，。Tā jīntiān zài jiā dāi, méi qù shàngbān.He's receiving guests at home today and didn't go to work.
- ，。Zuótiān wǒ dài le yì tiān de kè, lèi huài le.Yesterday I entertained guests all day and was exhausted.
- ，。Tā dài kè fēicháng zhōudào, kèrén dōu hěn mǎnyì.She is very attentive in receiving guests; all the visitors were satisfied.
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