jing3 cau4應酬应酬
Jyutpingjing3 cau4
Yaleying chàuh
Definition
Social engagement; a social gathering or networking event for work or business purposes.
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
Focuses specifically on social interactions that are professional or obligatory in nature rather than purely leisure activities. It often implies a sense of duty or burden, as these events are frequently seen as part of the job requirements. Using this word suggests that the speaker is attending the event for networking or maintaining business relationships rather than for personal enjoyment.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
I have a social engagement tonight, so I won't be home for dinner.
Related words
Common phrases
turn down a social engagement
have many social engagements
Common mistake
Avoid using this word for casual hangouts with close friends or family, as it carries a formal or professional undertone. Calling a casual dinner with friends an 應酬 would sound strange and imply that you find their company a chore.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).



