to return a gift with thanks; to decline with gratitude
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to return (a gift) with humble thanks; to politely decline a present
honorificAn extremely formal and literary term used in high-register writing or formal correspondence to respectfully decline a gift, implying a gesture of humility and respect. The character '璧' (jade disc) implies treating the gift as precious and returning it intact.
Duì对
yú于
zhè这
fèn份
hòu厚
lǐ礼
，
zài在
xià下
shí实
zài在
bù不
gǎn敢
jiē接
shòu受
，
zhǐ只
hǎo好
bì璧
xiè谢
le了
。
I truly dare not accept such a generous gift; I can only return it with my humblest thanks.
Tā他
wěi委
tuō托
mì秘
shū书
jiāng将
lǐ礼
wù物
bì璧
xiè谢
，
bìng并
fù附
shàng上
yī一
fēng封
gǎn感
xiè谢
xìn信
。
He had his secretary return the gift with polite thanks, along with a letter of gratitude.
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Gǔ古
rén人
duì对
yú于
bù不
yuàn愿
jiē接
shòu受
de的
kuì馈
zèng赠
，
cháng常
yǐ以
'
bì璧
xiè谢
'
huí回
zhī之
。
People in ancient times would often respond with '璧谢' when they wished to decline an offering.