礼 lǐ
- Strokes
- 5
- Radical
- 礻 — spirit
- How it's built
- Phono-semantic — one part hints at the meaning, another at the sound
礼尚往来
lǐshàngwǎnglái
courtesy demands reciprocity; exchange of favours or gifts
Characters in this word
往 wǎng
- Strokes
- 8
- Radical
- 彳 — to step with the left foot
- How it's built
- Phono-semantic — one part hints at the meaning, another at the sound
来 lái
- Strokes
- 7
- Radical
- 木 — tree
- Made of
- 未 not yet 丷 horns
- How it's built
- Ideograph — the meaning is built from its parts
Example phrases
- 邻里之间讲究礼尚往来，但这种往来不应变成攀比负担。 Línlǐ zhījiān jiǎngjiu lǐshàngwǎnglái, dàn zhè zhǒng wǎnglái bù yīng biànchéng pānbǐ fùdān. Neighbours value reciprocal courtesy, but such exchanges should not become a burden of comparison.
- 你送我水果，我回送你茶叶，礼尚往来嘛。 Nǐ sòng wǒ shuǐguǒ, wǒ huí sòng nǐ cháyè, lǐshàngwǎnglái ma. You gave me fruit, I give you tea in return; courtesy goes both ways.
- 朋友请我吃了饭，下次我也该请他，礼尚往来。 Péngyou qǐng wǒ chī le fàn, xià cì wǒ yě gāi qǐng tā, lǐshàngwǎnglái. My friend treated me to a meal, so next time I should treat him; one courtesy deserves another.
Related words
- 礼物 lǐwù gift
- 婚礼 hūnlǐ wedding
- 典礼 diǎnlǐ ceremony
- 礼 lǐ manners; gift
- 礼拜 lǐbài week
- 礼貌 lǐmào polite; politeness
- 彬彬有礼 bīnbīnyǒulǐ refined and courteous; polite and well-mannered
- 敬礼 jìnglǐ to salute
- 礼服 lǐfú formal dress; ceremonial attire
- 礼节 lǐjié etiquette; courtesy; formalities
- 礼品 lǐpǐn gift; present
- 礼堂 lǐtáng auditorium; assembly hall