请客

• Pinyin: qǐng kè
• Hanzi breakdown: 请 (qǐng) = 讠(speech) + 青 (green, phonetic); 客 (kè) = 宀 (roof) + 各 (each)

Meaning

To treat someone; to invite someone as a guest and pay for them, usually for a meal.

A key cultural concept in Chinese social life. 请客 means to pay for someone else's meal or entertainment as a gesture of friendship, gratitude, or celebration. Very common after getting a promotion, birthday, or as a way to maintain relationships. The custom reflects the Chinese value of hospitality and face (面子).

Examples

1. 今天我请客，大家随便点。 Today is my treat — everyone order whatever you like.
2. 你上次请了我，这次我来请客。 You treated me last time — this time it's my turn.
3. 他升职了，要请客吃饭。 He got promoted and wants to treat everyone to dinner.

Usage Guide

Context: social dining, celebrations, friendship

Tone: generous

Do Say

• 今天我请客！(Today is my treat!)
• 下次我请客。(Next time it's on me.)

Don't Say

• 说了请客就一定要付钱 (If you say 请客, you must actually pay — it's a firm social commitment, not a polite suggestion; backing out would cause serious loss of face)

Origin & History

请 (qǐng, to invite/please) + 客 (kè, guest). Literally 'to invite a guest' — hosting someone and covering the cost.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal