courtesy formulas; exchange pleasantries
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
polite formalities; courtesies; conventional pleasantries
Refers to fixed, formulaic polite expressions used in social interaction, often implying they may be unnecessary or insincere between close acquaintances.
Zán咱
men们
zhī之
jiān间
bù不
yòng用
jiǎng讲
kè客
tào套
，
yǒu有
huà话
zhí直
shuō说
。
We don't need to stand on ceremony with each other; just say what you mean.
Tā他
nà那
xiē些
dōu都
shì是
chǎng场
miàn面
shàng上
de的
kè客
tào套
huà话
，
bié别
tài太
dàng当
zhēn真
。
What he said were just polite formalities for the occasion; don't take them too seriously.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Lǎo老
péng朋
you友
jiàn见
miàn面
，
shěng省
qù去
nà那
xiē些
kè客
tào套
。
When old friends meet, they skip the formalities.
verb
to exchange polite greetings; to say courteous things; to stand on ceremony
Describes the act of engaging in polite, often ritualized social conversation, especially at the beginning of an interaction.
Liǎng两
rén人
kè客
tào套
le了
jǐ几
jù句
，
biàn便
jìn进
rù入
le了
zhèng正
tí题
。
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two got down to business.
Jīng经
lǐ理
yī一
jìn进
mén门
jiù就
hé和
kè客
hù户
kè客
tào套
qǐ起
lái来
。
As soon as the manager entered, he began exchanging courtesies with the client.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Nín您
tài太
kè客
tào套
le了
，
kuài快
qǐng请
zuò坐
。
You're being too polite; please have a seat.