应酬 yìngchou to engage in social activities
to engage in social activities; to socialize; dinner party; banquet; social engagement
How to remember 应酬: 应 should + 酬 to toast = to engage in social activities.
Characters
How it is used
- Social obligations - the wining, dining and schmoozing you do for work/relationships - 晚上有个应酬 (wǎnshang yǒu ge yìngchou) I have a social engagement tonight.
- Distinctly Chinese work-life concept: often reluctant, business-driven socializing (drinks, banquets), not fun with friends.
- Both noun ('an engagement') and verb ('to socialize out of obligation'); note the neutral-toned chou.