Chinese word

客套

Pronunciation

Pinyinkè tào

Meaning

  • nounpolite remarks

Example

他说的只是客套，不要当真。tā shuō de zhǐ shì kè tào bú yào dàng zhēn

What he said was just a polite remark; don't take it seriously.

Illustration for 客套 (polite remarks)

More examples

见面时大家常说几句客套话。jiàn miàn shí dà jiā cháng shuō jǐ jù kè tào huà

When people meet, they often exchange a few pleasantries.

Core concept

Words used to maintain courtesy in an interaction, from routine greetings to praise that may not be deeply felt.

Common phrases

  • 客套话kè tào huà

    pleasantries

  • 一句客套话yí jù kè tào huà

    a pleasantry

  • 说客套话shuō kè tào huà

    exchange pleasantries

Similar words

客套话kè tào huà: A polite set phrase or flattering remark used mainly to follow social custom.
套话tào huà: A stock expression with little real content or specific information.
寒暄hán xuān: Short, friendly talk for exchanging greetings or asking about someone's situation.
礼貌lǐ mào: Politeness shown through a respectful attitude and good social manners.

Definition in Chinese

在社交场合中为表示礼貌或维护场面而使用的程式化言辞，通常较表面化且不一定反映真实感情。zài shè jiāo chǎng hé zhōng wèi biǎo shì lǐ mào huò wéi hù chǎng miàn ér shǐ yòng de chéng shì huà yán cí tōng cháng jiào biǎo miàn huà qiě bù yí dìng fǎn yìng zhēn shí gǎn qíng

Word origin

The compound 客套 (kètào, "polite social formula") joins 客 (kè, "guest") and 套 (tào, "set form"), suggesting a set manner for dealing with guests or other people.

Usage tips

  • Calling someone's words 客套 (kètào, "polite social formula") can sound mildly dismissive, so it is stronger than simply calling them polite.

Other meanings

  • formal greetingnoun

Opposites

  • 真心话zhēn xīn huàsincere wordsnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word