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礼节性 (lǐ jié xìng) — courtesy (adj.), ceremonial, perfunctory (done as a matter of politeness or social formality)

Definition

Used as an adjective before a noun (礼节性的拜访/握手) to describe an act done only for politeness, with no real feeling or substance behind it — closer to 'token' or 'ceremonial' than a warm, sincere gesture.

noun
courtesy (adj.)ceremonialperfunctory (done as a matter of politeness or social formality)

Examples

  • 礼节性，。
    Tā zuò le yí gè lǐ jié xìng de yōng bào, rán hòu cōng cōng lí kāi le.
    He gave a perfunctory hug and then left in a hurry.
  • 礼节性，。
    Zhè cì fǎng wèn zhǐ shì lǐ jié xìng de, méi yǒu tán shí zhì wèn tí.
    This visit was just a courtesy call; no substantive issues were discussed.
  • 礼节性，。
    Shuāng fāng jìn xíng le lǐ jié xìng de wò shǒu, qì fen yǒu xiē lěng dàn.
    The two sides exchanged a ceremonial handshake, and the atmosphere was somewhat cold.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

礼节courtesy
礼lǐcourtesy节jiémanner
联合Coordinate
性xìngquality

性 adds a sense of quality or kind to 礼节.

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 節; 节 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
⺮Written in full as竹zhúbamboo
Sound part声符shēngfú
即
即jí節jié
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 節 pairs ⺮ (bamboo) with 即, which gives the sound; the bamboo part points to a node of bamboo. The simplified 节 is a later abbreviation.

Open 节 →

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
忄Written in full as心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
生
生shēng性xìng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

性 is built from 忄 (the heart) and 生 (a sound clue). The heart part connects the word to a person's inner nature or quality.

Open 性 →
Appears in
Greetings & Politeness

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