待 dài to entertain
to entertain; to receive; to treat; to wait
How to remember 待: 彳 step forward + 寺 temple = to entertain. The old monk takes a step forward at the temple gate, smiling, always happy to entertain tired hikers.
Component breakdown
待 = 彳 step forward + 寺 temple
- 彳 step forward
- 寺 temple
The old monk takes a step forward at the temple gate, smiling, always happy to entertain tired hikers.
How it is used
- Two readings/senses: dài = 'to treat/receive; to wait', and dāi = 'to stay' (colloquial, often written 呆).
- 对待 (duìdài) = to treat (how you deal with someone/something); 接待 (jiēdài) = to receive/host guests; 招待 (zhāodài) = to entertain.
- 期待 (qīdài) = to look forward to; 等待 (děngdài) = to wait (formal); 待遇 (dàiyù) = treatment/pay & benefits.
Words with 待
- 对待duìdàito treatHSK 5
- 待遇dàiyùtreatmentHSK 5
- 接待jiēdàito receiveHSK 5
- 期待qīdàito look forward toHSK 5
- 等待děngdàito waitHSK 5
- 招待zhāodàito hold a receptionHSK 6
- 看待kàndàito look uponHSK 6
- 亏待kuīdàito treat somebody unfairlyHSK 8
- 守株待兔shǒuzhū-dàitùliterally to guard a tree-stump, waiting for rabbitsHSK 8
- 有待yǒudàinot yet (done)HSK 9
- 款待kuǎndàito entertainHSK 9
- 虐待nüèdàito mistreatHSK 9
- 迫不及待pòbùjídàiunable to hold oneself backHSK 9
Example sentences
- 他在耐心地等待。 Tā zài nàixīn de děngdài.He's waiting patiently.
- 她对待客人很友好。 Tā duìdài kèren hěn yǒuhǎo.She's friendly to the guests.