Definition

1. Verb:
   • To converse with / to engage in conversation with: The primary meaning of "tiếp chuyện" is to talk with someone, often with the intention of receiving them, being hospitable, or keeping them company through conversation.
   • To entertain conversation: It implies the act of politely and attentively maintaining a dialogue with someone, typically a guest or visitor.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô ấy ngồi tiếp chuyện với khách cả buổi sáng. (She sat and conversed with the guests all morning.)
  • Ông chủ rất bận nhưng vẫn dành vài phút để tiếp chuyện tôi. (The boss was very busy but still spent a few minutes talking with me.)
  • Anh ấy không muốn tiếp chuyện với người lạ. (He does not want to talk with strangers.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a nuance of social duty or polite hospitality. It is not merely idle chat but a conscious act of engaging someone in talk to make them feel welcomed or attended to.
• It can be used in slightly formal or social contexts, such as receiving guests at home or in a professional setting.

Variants and Related Words

• Trò chuyện (v): to chat, to have a conversation. This is a more general term for conversing without the specific nuance of "receiving" someone.
  • Họ trò chuyện vui vẻ về chuyện cũ. (They chatted happily about old times.)
• Tiếp khách (v): to receive guests, to entertain guests. This focuses more on the act of hosting than specifically on conversation.
  • Bà ấy đang bận tiếp khách. (She is busy receiving guests.)
• Đàm đạo (v): to discuss, to converse (often on substantive topics). This is more literary.
  • Hai học giả đàm đạo về triết học. (The two scholars conversed about philosophy.)

Synonyms

• Converse with: to engage in conversation.
• Talk with: to have a discussion.
• Entertain: to receive someone as a guest and engage with them.

Related Idioms

• While "tiếp chuyện" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, the concept is central to social etiquette. A related phrase emphasizing the effort is:
• Tiếp chuyện tử tế: to converse with someone properly and politely.
  • Là chủ nhà, anh phải biết tiếp chuyện khách cho tử tế. (As the host, you must know how to converse with guests properly.)

verb

1. to keep company with