ceng2請请
Jyutpingceng2
Yalechéng
Definition
To invite someone, or to treat someone to a meal or drink by paying for them.
- to invite someone
- to pay for someone; to treat someone to
colloquialdaily actionsfood
How it's used
Beyond the formal sense of inviting someone to an event, this word is the standard way to express treating someone to a meal or a drink. When used in this context, it implies that the speaker is covering the bill. It is common to hear people say 請客 to emphasize the act of hosting or paying for others.
Examples
I will treat you to dinner tonight, is that okay?
He invited many friends to his wedding banquet.
Related words
Common phrases
to treat someone to a meal
to invite someone to a wedding banquet
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it can mean please. In Cantonese, using 請 to mean please is considered very formal or literary; for everyday requests, use 唔該 instead.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
