tiếp khách
Definition
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.
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.")