repay kindness; return a favor
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to repay someone's kindness; to return a favor; to reciprocate goodwill
Typically used in social contexts where one feels obligated to repay a kindness received, often through actions, gifts, or services.
Shàng上
cì次
tā他
bāng帮
le了
wǒ我
dà大
máng忙
，
zhè这
cì次
wǒ我
yí一
dìng定
yào要
huán还
qíng情
。
He helped me a lot last time, so this time I must return the favor.
Zài在
Zhōng中
guó国
wén文
huà化
lǐ里
，
rén人
qíng情
wǎng往
lái来
hěn很
zhòng重
yào要
，
yǒu有
lái来
yǒu有
wǎng往
，
gāi该
huán还
qíng情
shí时
jiù就
yào要
huán还
qíng情
。
In Chinese culture, social reciprocity is very important; give and take, and one should return favors when due.
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Tā他
sòng送
le了
wǒ我
yí一
fèn份
guì贵
zhòng重
lǐ礼
wù物
，
wǒ我
zǒng总
děi得
zhǎo找
jī机
huì会
huán还
qíng情
。
He gave me an expensive gift, so I must find a way to reciprocate.