Definition
拉客 is a separable verb-object phrase meaning 'to solicit customers'. You'll see it used for taxi drivers picking up passengers, restaurant staff inviting diners in, or in the sex trade for soliciting clients. As a separable verb, elements can go between 拉 and 客, e.g. 拉了三个客 ('solicited three customers'). The term carries a neutral-to-negative connotation depending on context.
v.o.
to solicit customers (e.g. taxi passengers, restaurant diners)to solicit clients (in the sex trade)
Examples
- 拉客。Chūzūchē sījī zài huǒchēzhàn fùjìn lā.Taxi drivers solicit passengers near the train station.
- 。Tā zuótiān zài jiē shàng lā le liǎng ge kè.He solicited two customers on the street yesterday.
- 拉客。Nàge dìfang lā de qíngkuàng hěn yánzhòng.The soliciting situation in that place is very serious.
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