Definition & Meaning

1.(of hotels, restaurants, etc.) tout for business; solicit customers/guests/diners; attract custom

2.(of a pedicab, taxi, etc.) take on passengers

3.(of prostitutes) solicit patrons/customers

Word usage

lā kè

拉 客

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Chinese dictionary
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1
v.(of hotels, restaurants, etc.) tout for business; solicit customers/guests/diners; attract custom
- duì miàn de rén dōu shì lái wèi lǚ guǎn lā kè de
  对面的人都是来为旅馆拉客的。
  The people opposite are all here to solicit guests for the hotel.
- qiáng xíng lā kè
  强行拉客
  forcibly solicit customers
synonym
jiē kè接客
2
v.(of a pedicab, taxi, etc.) take on passengers
- kǎ chē bù yǔn xǔ lā kè
  卡车不允许拉客。
  Lorries are not permitted to take on passengers.
- chū zū chē yán jiē lā kè shì fēi fǎ de
  出租车沿街拉客是非法的。
  It is illegal for taxis to pull customers along the street.
synonym
dā kè搭客
3
v.(of prostitutes) solicit patrons/customers
- yī míng jì nǚ zhèng zài jiē shang lā kè
  一名妓女正在街上拉客。
  A prostitute was soliciting on the street.
- tā yīn lā kè mài yín bèi dài bǔ le
  她因拉客卖淫被逮捕了。
  She was arrested for soliciting.
synonym
jiē kè接客

Word usage

Separable word
"拉" and "客" can be combined as one word, or be used separately with other elements inserted.
- 今天饭馆老板拉了三个客。
  Today, the restaurant owner has lured three customers.
- 他靠开车拉个客为生。
  He makes a living by carrying passengers.

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