to entice, to solicit; to encourage customers to come
x, 11 strokes, radical 彳
lái(lai2) T2
1to entice, to solicit; to encourage customers to come
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March 24, 2026
徠lái(lai2)
The character 徠 (lái) is used to convey the idea of enticing or encouraging someone to come or participate, often in a commercial context. It can be used to describe soliciting customers or inviting people to engage in an activity or event. The nuance of this character often implies a sense of persuasion or allure.
Strokes11Radical彳
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, inviting customers is a key aspect of hospitality and business practices. The use of words like 徠 reflects the importance of customer engagement and relationship building in Chinese commerce.
Memory Tip
Imagine a friendly shopkeeper waving an inviting hand (the left side of 徠) to entice customers (the right side resembles a person approaching). This action of welcoming and encouraging people to come can help you remember that 徠 (lái) means to invite or entice.
Meanings of 徠
lái(lai2)
1to entice, to solicit; to encourage customers to come
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 徠
徠Simplified
11Strokes
彳Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 徠
Podcast: 徠
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AI Study Notes for 徠
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a friendly shopkeeper waving an inviting hand (the left side of 徠) to entice customers (the right side resembles a person approaching). This action of welcoming and encouraging people to come can help you remember that 徠 (lái) means to invite or entice.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 徠 (lái) with 来 (lái), which simply means 'to come.' While both share the same pinyin, 徠 carries a connotation of persuasion and solicitation. It's more common in commercial contexts, so it's generally considered informal.
HSK Study Tips
Although 徠 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it shares roots with 来 (lái), which is essential for beginners. Students should focus on understanding the context in which 徠 is used in business or marketing to enhance their vocabulary at this level.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, inviting customers is a key aspect of hospitality and business practices. The use of words like 徠 reflects the importance of customer engagement and relationship building in Chinese commerce.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 徠 with 来, mistakenly using 徠 when they simply mean 'to come.' For example, saying 徠 here instead of 来 here is incorrect; the correct phrase would be 来这里.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 徠
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Cultural Notes for 徠
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, inviting customers is a key aspect of hospitality and business practices. The use of words like 徠 reflects the importance of customer engagement and relationship building in Chinese commerce.
Word Family of 徠
Words Containing This Character2
招徕to solicit招徠
徕láito solicit徠
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 招徕 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 徠
In business, 徠 refers to enticing customers to visit or engage with a service or product.
It's less common in casual conversation and more often found in business or marketing language.
While 来 simply means 'to come,' 徠 emphasizes the act of enticing or inviting someone to do so.
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