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.
Appears in
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