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March 24, 2026
招待zhāodài(zhao1dai4)
招待 (zhao1 dai4) means to receive or entertain guests, often in a formal or hospitable manner. It is commonly used in contexts involving hosting events, meetings, or social gatherings where guests are welcomed and provided with services or amenities.
Strokes17Frequency#5106DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, hospitality is highly valued, and 招待 reflects the importance of making guests feel comfortable and respected. Formal receptions and gatherings are common in business and family settings, showcasing the host's social status and politeness.
Memory Tip
Think of 招 (zhao1) as a 'gesture to invite' and 待 (dai4) as 'to wait' or 'to serve.' Imagine a host waving to their guests to 'come in and wait' while they prepare a warm reception. This visual of welcoming and serving makes it easier to remember the word and its pronunciation.
Meanings of 招待
zhāodài(zhao1dai4)
1to receive (guests)
2to entertain
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About 招待
招待Simplified
17Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#5106Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 招待
Podcast: 招待
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AI Study Notes for 招待
Quick Contrast
接待 (jiēdài) - use 招待 when emphasizing hospitality and warmth, while 接待 focuses more on the act of receiving guests in a formal or administrative context.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context in which you use 招待, as it is more formal and typically used in hospitality or professional settings. Common collocations include 招待客人 (zhao1 dai4 ke4 ren2 - entertain guests) and 招待会 (zhao1 dai4 hui4 - reception event). Avoid using it in casual contexts where simpler terms like 请客 (qing3 ke4 - treat guests) would be more appropriate.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 招待 connects well with other words related to hospitality and social interactions, such as 迎接 (ying2 jie1 - welcome) and 服务 (fu2 wu4 - service). Focus on practicing its usage in sentences about hosting and reception to strengthen your conversational skills.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 招待 with 接待, leading to incorrect usage in formal situations. For example, saying '我接待我的朋友' (I receive my friends) instead of '我招待我的朋友' is incorrect when referring to a hospitable gathering.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 招待
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招待 (zhao1 dai4) means to receive or entertain guests, often in a formal or hospitable manner. It is commonly used in contexts involving hosting events, meetings, or social gatherings where guests are welcomed and provided with services or amenities.
When to use 招待
Be mindful of the context in which you use 招待, as it is more formal and typically used in hospitality or professional settings. Common collocations include 招待客人 (zhao1 dai4 ke4 ren2 - entertain guests) and 招待会 (zhao1 dai4 hui4 - reception event). Avoid using it in casual contexts where simpler terms like 请客 (qing3 ke4 - treat guests) would be more appropriate.
招待 or something close to it
接待 (jiēdài) - use 招待 when emphasizing hospitality and warmth, while 接待 focuses more on the act of receiving guests in a formal or administrative context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 招待 with 接待, leading to incorrect usage in formal situations. For example, saying '我接待我的朋友' (I receive my friends) instead of '我招待我的朋友' is incorrect when referring to a hospitable gathering.
Write 招待
招
待
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Grammar Patterns of 招待
招待 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
