Definition

1. Verb:

   • To receive guests / to welcome visitors: The primary meaning of "tiếp khách" is the act of greeting, welcoming, and hosting visitors or guests who come to one's home, office, or place of business.
   • To entertain clients / to see customers: In a professional or commercial context, it refers to the act of meeting with clients, customers, or business partners.

2. Verb (dated/archaic usage):

   • To receive patrons (as a prostitute): A historical, colloquial usage referring to a prostitute receiving clients. This usage is now considered old-fashioned.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Bà chủ nhà rất niềm nở tiếp khách. (The hostess very warmly welcomed the guests.)
  • Giám đốc dành buổi chiều thứ Sáu để tiếp khách hàng. (The director sets aside Friday afternoons to meet with clients.)
  • Trong phòng khách, ông ấy đang bận tiếp khách. (He is busy receiving guests in the living room.)

Advanced Usage

• "Tiếp khách tại nhà": to receive guests at home.

  • Họ thích tiếp khách tại nhà hơn là ở nhà hàng. (They prefer to entertain guests at home rather than at a restaurant.)

• "Phòng tiếp khách": living room (literally, "guest reception room").

  • Mời ông bà ngồi chờ ở phòng tiếp khách. (Please have a seat and wait in the living room.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đón tiếp (v): to welcome, to receive (often used in similar contexts but can imply meeting someone upon arrival).

  • Công ty cử người ra sân bay đón tiếp đối tác. (The company sent someone to the airport to welcome the partner.)

• Khách khứa (n): guests, visitors (a collective term).

  • Dịp lễ, nhà nào cũng đông khách khứa. (During the holiday, every house is full of guests.)

Synonyms

• To host: to receive or entertain guests.
• To entertain: to receive someone as a guest, often providing hospitality.
• To see (someone): to have a meeting with someone, especially in a professional context (e.g., to see a client).

Related Idioms

• Tiếp khách như tiếp giặc: An idiom meaning "to receive guests as if receiving enemies," humorously describing a situation where receiving guests is seen as a troublesome or burdensome duty.
  • Nhà chật quá, mỗi lần có người đến chơi là lại "tiếp khách như tiếp giặc". (The house is too small; every time someone visits, it's like "receiving guests as if receiving enemies.")