迎来送往

迎來送往

yíngláisòngwǎng

idiom

Meanings

1 to welcome those arriving and see off those departing
2 constant social entertaining and receptions

Characters

Examples

他在酒店工作，每天迎来送往。

Tā zài jiǔdiàn gōngzuò, měitiān yíngláisòngwǎng.

He works at a hotel, greeting arrivals and seeing off departures every day.

年底应酬多，整天迎来送往。

Niándǐ yìngchóu duō, zhěngtiān yíngláisòngwǎng.

There are so many social obligations at year-end — all day greeting and sending off guests.

她厌倦了官场上的迎来送往。

Tā yànjuàn le guānchǎng shàng de yíngláisòngwǎng.

She was tired of the endless official receptions and send-offs.

Tips

history

Rooted in 《庄子·山木》 (Warring States): 其送往而迎来，来者勿禁，往者勿止 — originally a Daoist image of natural openness (welcome and farewell both without forcing). Later narrowed to the specific social-ritual sense of being busy entertaining guests.

usage

Often slightly weary — emphasizes the labor, expense, or hollowness of constant hosting rather than genuine warmth. Typical contexts: hotel work, diplomatic schedules, bureaucratic social circuits, year-end banquet seasons.

Stroke Order

迎 yíng

来 lái

送 sòng

往 wǎng