拉客 (lā) — to solicit customers (e.g. taxi passengers, restaurant diners); to solicit clients (in the sex trade)
Definition
A colloquial verb meaning to actively approach and try to attract customers — used of taxi drivers, restaurant hosts, and sex workers soliciting clients. Pairs with 客, a general word for "customer."
verb
to solicit customers (e.g. taxi passengers, restaurant diners)to solicit clients (in the sex trade)
Examples
- 拉客。Chū zū chē sī jī zài huǒ chē zhàn fù jìn lā.Taxi drivers solicit passengers near the train station.
- 。Tā zuó tiān zài jiē shàng lā le liǎng gè kè.He solicited two customers on the street yesterday.
- 拉客。Nà ge dì fāng lā de qíng kuàng hěn yán zhòng.The soliciting situation in that place is very serious.
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