Definition
失礼 (shī lǐ) is a formal, polite verb meaning 'to be discourteous or rude' — it is often used in sincere apologies (e.g., 'forgive my impropriety'). In contrast, 泼 (pō) is colloquial and describes a person being brutish or coarse in a harsh, unrefined way, not a polite self-correction.
verb
to act discourteouslyto be rude (in a formal or social context)(used in apologies) forgive me for my impropriety
Easily confused
- 实力shí lìsound-alikeactual strength, capability (of a person, organization, or country)
- 势力shì lìsound-alikepower (especially in a social or political context)
- 视力shì lìsound-alikevision, eyesight
- 失利shī lìsound-aliketo lose, to suffer defeat
Examples
- ，失礼。Zài zhǎngbèi miànqián shuō zhèyàng de huà, zhēn shì tài shī lǐ le.Saying something like that in front of elders is really discourteous.
- 失礼，。Gāngcái wǒ shī lǐ le, qǐng nín yuánliàng.I was rude just now; please forgive me.
- ，失礼。Dì yī cì jiànmiàn jiù chídào, shízài hěn shī lǐ.Being late for the first meeting is truly discourteous.
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