招待

• Pinyin: zhāo dài
• Hanzi breakdown: 招 = 扌 + 召 (hand beckoning); 待 = 彳 + 寺 (to wait/treat)

Meaning

To receive and entertain guests; to host; hospitality.

Encompasses receiving, serving, and entertaining visitors. Used in business and personal contexts. Related: 招待费 (entertainment expenses), 招待所 (guest house), 招待员 (receptionist). Implies providing food, drinks, or accommodation.

Examples

1. 公司派专人负责招待来访的外国客户。 The company assigned a dedicated person to receive visiting foreign clients.
2. 他热情地招待我们，准备了丰盛的晚餐。 He warmly hosted us and prepared a lavish dinner.
3. 这家酒店以优质的招待服务闻名于业界。 This hotel is known in the industry for its high-quality hospitality.

Usage Guide

Context: hospitality, business, social events

Tone: polite

Do Say

• 感谢您的热情招待，让我们宾至如归。(Thank you for your warm hospitality, which made us feel right at home.)
• 招待不周之处，还请各位多多包涵。(Please forgive any inadequacies in our hospitality.)

Don't Say

• 招待自己 — 招待 is for hosting others; for treating yourself use 犒劳自己

Origin & History

招 (to beckon/invite) + 待 (to treat/wait upon)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal