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礼数 (lǐ shǔ) — social etiquette, formal courtesies, proper manners (in Chinese cultural context)

Definition

Refers to the rules of proper social conduct — visiting elders, hosting guests, showing respect — more about ritualized courtesy than everyday politeness (礼貌).

noun
social etiquetteformal courtesiesproper manners (in Chinese cultural context)

Examples

  • ，礼数。
    Tā zuò shì hěn zhōu dào, lǐ shǔ shàng cóng bù mǎ hu.
    He is very thorough in his work and never slacks on social courtesies.
  • ，礼数。
    Dì yī cì qù zhǎng bèi jiā zuò kè, yí dìng yào dǒng lǐ shǔ.
    When visiting an elder's home for the first time, you must understand proper etiquette.
  • ，礼数，。
    Tā suī rán nián qīng, dàn lǐ shǔ fēi cháng zhōu dào, dà jiā dōu xǐ huan tā.
    Although she's young, her manners are very thorough, and everyone likes her.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

礼lǐcourtesy
数shùpropriety

礼 and 数 both point to proper ceremonial behavior.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 數; 数 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
攴攴pū
Sound part声符shēngfú
婁
婁lóu數shù(r)
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 數 pairs 攴, the meaning part, with 婁, the sound part; the simplified 数 is a shorthand.

Open 数 →
Appears in
Chinese Culture & Customs

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