请 (qǐng) — please, to invite, to treat

请 (qǐng)

Placed before a verb to make a polite request meaning "please." Also used as a verb meaning to invite someone or to treat someone to a meal or drink.

Meanings

1. [adv] Please (polite marker before a verb).
2. [verb] To invite someone to come or attend.
3. [verb] To treat someone to food or a drink.

Example Sentences

请进，欢迎你。 Qǐng jìn, huānyíng nǐ. Please come in. Welcome.

我请你吃饭吧。 Wǒ qǐng nǐ chīfàn ba. Let me treat you to a meal.

请问，洗手间在哪里？ Qǐngwèn, xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ? Excuse me, where is the restroom?

他请了很多朋友来参加生日会。 Tā qǐng le hěn duō péngyou lái cānjiā shēngrì huì. He invited many friends to attend his birthday party.

Collocations

Memory Hook

A waiter bowing and gesturing inward says 请 — it is the sound of gracious hospitality.