15秒でわかる
- Acting as the host who pays the entire bill for others.
- Derived from the traditional 'East' seating position for hosts.
- A polite, generous way to offer a treat to friends.
- Commonly used in both business and social dining contexts.
意味
It means you are taking the lead to host a gathering and, most importantly, picking up the tab for everyone.
主な例文
3 / 6Inviting a friend to dinner
今天晚上我做东，请你吃火锅。
I'm hosting tonight; let me treat you to hotpot.
Celebrating a promotion with colleagues
我升职了，周五我做东，大家一起去唱歌！
I got promoted! I'll host this Friday, let's all go KTV!
A formal business dinner offer
王经理，难得您来北京，今晚由我做东。
Manager Wang, it's rare for you to be in Beijing; I'll be the host tonight.
文化的背景
The phrase originates from ancient Chinese etiquette where the host sat in the 'East' seat and the guest in the 'West'. This directional seating was so standard that 'East' became synonymous with the person providing the hospitality and paying the costs.
The 'Bill Fight'
If you say `我做东`, expect a 'fight' for the bill. It's a polite ritual in China. Stand your ground!
Don't go Dutch
Never use `做东` if you expect people to pay their share. It will cause huge social confusion.
15秒でわかる
- Acting as the host who pays the entire bill for others.
- Derived from the traditional 'East' seating position for hosts.
- A polite, generous way to offer a treat to friends.
- Commonly used in both business and social dining contexts.
What It Means
做东 is the ultimate power move in Chinese social life. It means you are the host. You aren't just the person who picked the restaurant. You are the person responsible for the bill. It sounds much warmer than just saying "I'll pay." It implies you are taking care of your guests.
How To Use It
You use it like a verb. You can say "Today I 做东." This tells everyone to put their wallets away. It is often used when inviting people out. It makes the invitation official and generous. You can also use it to thank someone. You might say, "Next time, let me 做东."
When To Use It
Use it when you want to celebrate something. Use it when meeting a friend from out of town. It is perfect for business lunches too. If you got a promotion, you should probably 做东. It shows you are successful and kind. It creates a sense of harmony and friendship.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for a casual 50/50 split. If everyone is paying for themselves, this phrase is wrong. Avoid using it if you are actually broke. It is a promise to pay the whole bill. Also, don't use it in very stiff, robotic settings. It has a warm, social heart.
Cultural Background
In ancient China, the host always sat on the east side. The guest sat on the west. Because the host sat in the east, they became the "East." This is why the word for "boss" is 东家. Even today, being the "East" means you have the power and the bill.
Common Variations
You will often hear 请客. That is the most common way to say "my treat." 做东 is slightly more elegant and traditional. You might also hear 今天我坐庄. That is more common in card games or gambling. Stick to 做东 for dinners and events to sound like a pro.
使い方のコツ
The phrase is neutral to slightly formal. It is safer to use in business than '请客', but still feels warm enough for a dinner with friends. Avoid using it in extremely casual slang-heavy conversations where '我请' is enough.
The 'Bill Fight'
If you say `我做东`, expect a 'fight' for the bill. It's a polite ritual in China. Stand your ground!
Don't go Dutch
Never use `做东` if you expect people to pay their share. It will cause huge social confusion.
The Power of the East
The 'East' seat in a traditional round-table room is the one facing the door. That's where the `做东` person sits!
例文
6今天晚上我做东，请你吃火锅。
I'm hosting tonight; let me treat you to hotpot.
A very common way to initiate a dinner plan.
我升职了，周五我做东，大家一起去唱歌！
I got promoted! I'll host this Friday, let's all go KTV!
Used to share good news and generosity.
王经理，难得您来北京，今晚由我做东。
Manager Wang, it's rare for you to be in Beijing; I'll be the host tonight.
Shows high respect to a visiting business partner.
别争了，今天我做东！
Stop arguing, I'm the host today!
Used to end the 'fighting for the bill' ritual.
下次一定要让我做东，好好谢谢你。
Next time you must let me host to thank you properly.
A polite way to promise a future treat as thanks.
说了我做东，你就别掏钱包了。
I said I'm hosting, so don't take out your wallet.
Firm but kind insistence on paying.
自分をテスト
Choose the correct phrase to complete the invitation.
为了庆祝你毕业，今天中午我___。
`做东` means to act as the host and pay for the celebration.
How do you tell a guest they don't need to pay?
你是客人，当然是我___。
The host (East) pays for the guest (West).
🎉 スコア： /2
ビジュアル学習ツール
Formality of 'Hosting' Expressions
Used with close friends.
我请客 (Wǒ qǐngkè)
Safe for friends and colleagues.
我做东 (Wǒ zuòdōng)
Very respectful or literary.
设宴款待 (Shèyàn kuǎndài)
When to say '做东'
Business Trip
Hosting a visiting client
Celebration
Birthday or Promotion
Gratitude
Thanking a mentor
Reunion
Meeting old classmates
練習問題バンク
2 問題为了庆祝你毕业，今天中午我___。
`做东` means to act as the host and pay for the celebration.
你是客人，当然是我___。
The host (East) pays for the guest (West).
🎉 スコア： /2
よくある質問
10 問Yes, literally it is 'to act as the east.' This refers to the traditional seating where the host sits on the east side.
They are very similar. 请客 is more common and casual, while 做东 sounds a bit more sophisticated and 'official' as a host.
You can, but it might sound a bit grand. Usually, 做东 is used for meals or events. For a coffee, 我请你 is more natural.
Usually the person who initiated the meeting or the local person hosting a visitor will 做东.
It's not rude to fight for the bill, but eventually, you should let the person who offered 做东 pay to 'give them face'.
Absolutely! It is gender-neutral. Anyone who is hosting and paying can say 我做东.
You can say 下次换我做东 (Next time it's my turn to host). It's a great way to ensure a second meeting.
No, there is no 做西. The guest is just the guest (客人). Only the host gets a directional title.
Yes, it is common in professional but friendly emails, like 今晚由我司做东 (Tonight our company will host).
Yes, though they might use 我请客 more often. 做东 is used when they want to sound a bit more mature or serious about the treat.
関連フレーズ
请客
To treat someone (very common)
买单
To pay the bill
东道主
The host (often used for countries hosting Olympics, etc.)
AA制
Going Dutch / splitting the bill
