拘礼 (jū lǐ) — to stand on ceremony, to be overly formal or punctilious

Definition

A verb meaning 'to stand on ceremony' or 'be overly formal with others' — it carries a negative tone, suggesting the formality is unnecessary. Often appears in the pattern 别拘礼 ('don't be so formal').

verb
to stand on ceremonyto be overly formal or punctilious

Examples

  • 拘礼
    Dà jiā dōu shì péng you, bú bì jū lǐ.
    We're all friends, no need to stand on ceremony.
  • Lái wǒ jiā jiù bié jū shén me lǐ le, suí biàn zuò.
    When you come to my place, don't stand on ceremony — just sit anywhere.
  • 拘礼
    Tā zhè ge rén tài jū lǐ, gēn shuí shuō huà dōu kè kè qì qì de.
    He's too formal; he's polite to everyone he talks to.

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