qǐng kè
stand treat; entertain
我请客，大家随便点。
wǒ qǐng kè, dàjiā suíbiàn diǎn.
I'm paying, everyone order whatever you want.
今天我生日，我请客。
jīntiān wǒ shēngrì, wǒ qǐng kè.
It's my birthday today, I'm paying.
我们去吃火锅吧，我请客。
wǒmen qù chī huǒguō ba, wǒ qǐng kè.
Let's go eat hot pot, I'm paying.
做东 (zuò dōng)
to be the host
待客 (dài kè)
to entertain guests
做客 (zuò kè)
be a guest
待客 (dài kè)
entertain guests
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The Chinese word 请客 (qǐngkè) is composed of two characters: 请 (qǐng) and 客 (kè). The character 请 originally meant "to invite" or "to ask", and it is still used in this sense today. The character 客 originally meant "guest" or "visitor", but it can also be used to refer to a customer or a client. When these two characters are combined, they form the word 请客, which means "to invite someone to a meal" or "to treat someone to a meal". This word is often used in a social context, and it can be used to express gratitude, friendship, or respect. For example, if you want to thank someone for their help, you might invite them to dinner. If you want to make friends with someone, you might invite them to lunch. And if you want to show respect to someone, you might invite them to a banquet.
