施礼 (shī lǐ) — to salute (with a traditional gesture)

Definition

A formal or literary verb meaning to perform a traditional bow, salute, or gesture of respect — typical in classical or ceremonial contexts, not casual everyday greetings.

verb
to salute (with a traditional gesture)
Easily confused

Examples

  • ，施礼。
    Tā jiàn dào zhǎng bèi, lián máng shī lǐ.
    When he saw his elder, he quickly saluted.
  • ，施礼。
    Zài gǔ dài, rén men jiàn miàn shí yào shī lǐ.
    In ancient times, people would salute when meeting.
  • 。
    Tā xiàng kè rén shī le yí gè lǐ.
    He made a salute to the guest.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

施shīgive
礼lǐcourtesy

施 means to give or perform, and 礼 is a courtesy, so the action is to salute.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
㫃㫃㫃
Sound part声符shēngfú
也
也yě施shī
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

施 pairs 㫃, the part connected to its meaning, with 也, the part giving its sound.

Open 施 →

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 →

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