怠慢

• Pinyin: dài màn
• Hanzi breakdown: 怠 = 台 + 心 (negligent); 慢 = 忄 + 曼 (slow, disrespectful)

Meaning

To neglect; to treat someone with insufficient attention or hospitality; to be remiss toward a guest.

Commonly used in formal contexts to apologise for failing to entertain a guest properly, or to criticise negligent treatment of customers or visitors. Often appears in polite speech as a self-deprecating apology.

Examples

1. 招待不周，多有怠慢，还请见谅。 Please forgive us for any poor hospitality or neglect.
2. 他对重要客户的怠慢态度引发了强烈的批评。 His neglectful attitude toward an important client triggered strong criticism.
3. 公司绝不能怠慢任何一位前来咨询的客户。 The company must never neglect any customer who comes to make an inquiry.

Usage Guide

Context: etiquette, business, hospitality

Tone: apologetic

Do Say

• 若有怠慢之处，请多包涵。(If I have been negligent in any way, please bear with me.)
• 决不可怠慢贵宾。(One must never neglect distinguished guests.)

Don't Say

• 我怠慢了这件事 — for neglecting a task, 忽视 or 疏忽 is more natural; 怠慢 applies to people, not tasks

Origin & History

怠 (negligent) + 慢 (slow, disrespectful)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal