Definition

1. Verb:
   • To solicit, to invite eagerly/persuasively: "chào mời" means to actively and earnestly invite or encourage someone, often to buy something, use a service, or engage in an activity. It implies a direct, sometimes insistent, approach.
   • To proposition, to solicit (for sex): In a specific context, it can refer to the act of soliciting for prostitution.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nhân viên đang chào mời khách hàng dùng thử sản phẩm mới. (The staff is soliciting customers to try the new product.)
  • Các nhà hàng thường chào mời thực khách bằng thực đơn hấp dẫn. (Restaurants often solicit diners with attractive menus.)
  • Cô ta bị bắt vì chào mời khách làng chơi trên phố. (She was arrested for soliciting clients on the street.)

Advanced Usage

• "chào mời đầu tư": to solicit investment.

  • Công ty khởi nghiệp đang chào mời đầu tư từ các quỹ mạo hiểm. (The startup is soliciting investment from venture capital funds.)

• "chào mời hợp tác": to invite/propose cooperation.

  • Chúng tôi luôn chào mời hợp tác từ các đối tác tiềm năng. (We are always open to soliciting cooperation from potential partners.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chào hàng (v): to offer goods for sale, to pitch a product. (Focuses more on the act of presenting goods.)
• Mời chào (v): a variant with similar meaning, sometimes used interchangeably with "chào mời".
• Mời mọc (v): to invite insistently or repeatedly. (Can be more general, not necessarily commercial.)

Synonyms

• Lôi kéo: to attract, to draw in. (Less direct than "chào mời").
• Vận động: to campaign for, to lobby. (Often used in political or social contexts).
• Rủ rê: to persuade someone to join an activity. (More informal, often among peers).

Related Phrases (Collocations)

• Chào mời khách hàng: to solicit customers.
• Chào mời dịch vụ: to solicit for services.
• Lời chào mời: an invitation, a solicitation (used as a noun phrase).
  • Lời chào mời hợp tác của họ rất hấp dẫn. (Their invitation for cooperation is very attractive.)

Notes on Usage

• Tone: The word "chào mời" often carries a tone of active promotion or earnest invitation. It is commonly used in commercial, business, and service contexts.
• Formality: It is neutral in formality, appropriate for both everyday and business language.
• Caution: In the context of prostitution ("chào mời khách"), the term is specific and carries a negative connotation.

1. Solicit
   • Chào mời khách mua hàng
     To solicit people for one's custom