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礼尚往来 (lǐ shàng wǎng lái) — (idiom) reciprocity; to return a favor as a matter of courtesy

Definition

A chengyu for social reciprocity: you repay kindness with kindness, especially in gifts. Carries a cultural weight of "ought" — polite behavior is expected, not optional.

idiom
reciprocityto return a favor as a matter of courtesy

Examples

  • ，礼尚往来。
    Zài rén jì jiāo wǎng zhōng, lǐ shàng wǎng lái shì fēi cháng zhòng yào de.
    In interpersonal communication, reciprocity is very important.
  • ，礼尚往来。
    Tā sòng le wǒ yí fèn hòu lǐ, wǒ zì rán yě yào lǐ shàng wǎng lái.
    He gave me a generous gift, so of course I should reciprocate.
  • 礼尚往来，。
    Zhōng guó rén jiǎng jiu lǐ shàng wǎng lái, shōu dào lǐ wù hòu yì bān huì huí zèng.
    Chinese people value reciprocity; after receiving a gift, they usually give something in return.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 禮; 礼 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
礻Written in full as示shìaltar
Sound part声符shēngfú
豊
豊lǐ禮lǐ
Same sound today

The traditional form 禮 pairs 礻 (altar) with 豊, a sound part, for performing rites at the altar; the simplified 礼 is a later shorthand.

Open 礼 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
八八bā
Sound part声符shēngfú
向
向xiàng尚shàng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

尚 pairs 八 with 向: 八 carries the meaning, and 向 gives the sound.

Open 尚 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
止止zhǐfoot
Sound part声符shēngfú
王
王wáng往wǎng
Same sound today

The form that became 往 paired 止, a foot, with 王 for the sound; a stepping part was later added, and the right side changed.

Open 往 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 來; 来 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 來 shows a wheat plant: a central ear, upward leaves, and downward stem and roots. The simplified 来 is a later shorthand.

Open 来 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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