招待

zhāodài

verb HSK 7 #5,106

Meanings

1 to entertain (guests)
2 to host
3 to serve
4 reception

Characters

to beckon; to receive

to treat; to entertain

Literally 'receive and treat' — to welcome and serve guests

Examples

他热情地招待了远方来的客人。

Tā rèqíng de zhāodài le yuǎnfāng lái de kèrén.

He warmly entertained the guests who came from afar.

招待不周，请多包涵。

Zhāodài bù zhōu, qǐng duō bāohán.

Please forgive us for any inadequacy in our hospitality.

Tips

culture

招待不周，请多包涵 is a classic polite expression used by Chinese hosts, even when the hospitality has been excellent. It reflects the cultural value of modesty.

Stroke Order

招 zhāo

待 dài