Definition

1. Verb:
   • To bend one's steps, to come, to visit (in a formal, polite, and somewhat elaborate manner): "quá bộ" is a formal and courteous expression used to invite someone to visit or to describe the act of visiting someone, often implying the visitor is doing the host a favor by taking the trouble to come. It conveys respect and humility.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Mời ông quá bộ lại chơi tệ xá. (Please bend your steps toward my humble abode.)
  • Xin mời bác quá bộ sang nhà cháu dùng bữa cơm. (Please do me the honor of coming to my house for a meal.)
  • Nghe tin cụ về làng, tôi vội quá bộ sang thăm. (Upon hearing you had returned to the village, I hurried over to visit.)

Advanced Usage

• As a formal invitation: The phrase is most commonly used in the construction "Mời [someone] quá bộ lại chơi" as a very polite invitation.

  • Mời ngài quá bộ lại phòng khách. (Please honor the living room with your presence.)

• To describe a visit made out of respect: It can describe the act of visiting itself, emphasizing the courteous intent.

  • Ông ấy đã quá bộ tới thăm gia đình tôi hôm qua. (He paid a visit to my family yesterday [in a formal, respectful way].)

Variants and Related Words

• Ghế bước (verb): A near-synonym meaning "to drop by, to stop in," also used in polite contexts but slightly less formal than "quá bộ."
• Quá (adverb): Too, excessively.
• Bộ (noun): Manner, style; (verb, archaic): to walk.

Synonyms

• Đến thăm (verb): To visit (standard, neutral).
• Ghế thăm (verb): To pay a visit (polite).
• Viếng thăm (verb): To visit (often used for formal or solemn occasions).

Related Phrases

• Quá bộ lại chơi: The most common fixed phrase, meaning "to come over for a visit."
  • Mời anh quá bộ lại chơi khi nào rảnh. (Please come over for a visit when you have time.)

Notes on Usage

• Register: "Quá bộ" belongs to a formal and somewhat literary register. It is not used in everyday casual speech but is appropriate for written invitations, formal speeches, or historical/literary contexts.
• Nuance: The term carries a nuance of humility from the speaker (host) and respect for the listener (guest), suggesting the guest's visit is a gracious act. It is a quintessential example of Vietnamese polite and indirect language.

1. (kiểu cách) Bend one's steps
   • Mời ông quá bộ lại chơi tệ xá
     Please bend your steps toward my humble abode