做客

• Pinyin: zuò kè
• Hanzi breakdown: 做 = 亻 (person) + 故 (reason/old), meaning to do or to act as; 客 = 宀 (roof) + 各 (each), meaning guest or visitor

Meaning

To be a guest; to visit someone's home. Describes the act of visiting someone as an invited guest.

Specifically refers to visiting someone's home as a guest, not just visiting a place. Implies being received with hospitality. Chinese culture places great emphasis on hosting guests well, so 做客 carries connotations of social courtesy and mutual respect. The guest is expected to bring gifts and behave politely.

Examples

1. 周末我要去朋友家做客。 I'm going to visit a friend's home this weekend.
2. 欢迎你来我家做客。 You're welcome to come visit my home.
3. 在中国做客的时候，主人会准备很多菜。 When visiting someone's home in China, the host will prepare many dishes.

Usage Guide

Context: social, hospitality, everyday

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 下次有空来我家做客吧！(Come visit my home when you're free next time!)
• 我们昨天去李老师家做客了。(We went to Teacher Li's home as guests yesterday.)

Don't Say

• 我去商场做客了。(Don't use 做客 for visiting public places like shops — it specifically means being a guest at someone's home; use 逛 or 去 instead)

Origin & History

做 (to do, to act as) + 客 (guest). Literally 'to act as a guest,' meaning to visit someone's home in the capacity of a guest.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal