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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
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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