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谢礼 (xiè lǐ) — a gift given in token of gratitude; a return present; (honorarium) a payment for voluntary or unpaid professional services

Definition

谢礼 is a gift given to thank someone — often for a favor, service, or help, similar to a 'tip' or token of gratitude. It can also mean the honorarium paid for a free lecture or performance.

noun
a gift given in token of gratitudea return present(honorarium) a payment for voluntary or unpaid professional services
Measure word · 份

Examples

  • 谢礼，。
    Tā shōu dào le yí fèn fēng hòu de xiè lǐ, yǐ gǎn xiè tā de bāng zhù.
    He received a generous gift of thanks for his help.
  • 谢礼，。
    Zhè cì yǎn jiǎng de xiè lǐ suī rán bù gāo, dàn dà jiā dōu hěn mǎn yì.
    Although the honorarium for this speech was not high, everyone was satisfied.
  • 谢礼，。
    Zuò wéi xiè lǐ, wǒ sòng le tā yì píng hǎo jiǔ.
    As a gift of thanks, I gave him a bottle of good wine.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

谢xièthank
礼lǐgift

“谢” expresses gratitude and “礼” is a gift, so the word means a gift given in thanks.

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 謝; 谢 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánword; speech
Sound part声符shēngfú
射
射shè謝xiè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 謝 pairs 言 (word; speech) with 射, which gives the sound. The simplified 谢 is a written form of this character.

Open 谢 →

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 →
Appears in
Chinese Culture & CustomsMiscellaneous Objects

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