lǐ

礼

HSK 5Character · Noun · Verb · Proper nounTraditional禮

ritual; etiquette; gift; treat with courtesy

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

5 senses · 25 examples
1.

noun

ritual; ceremony; etiquette

Refers to traditional or social ceremonies and customs that are commonly observed by people.

Zhōng中
guó国
yǒu有
hěn很
duō多
chuán传
tǒng统
hūn婚
lǐ礼
xí习
sú俗
 。

China has many traditional wedding customs.

Sāng丧
lǐ礼
shàng上
dà大
jiā家
dōu都
chuān穿
zhe着
hēi黑
sè色
yī衣
fu服
 。

Everyone wears black clothes at a funeral ceremony.

Show 3 more examples
Chūn春
jié节
qī期
jiān间
yǒu有
hěn很
duō多
chuán传
tǒng统
lǐ礼
yí仪
huó活
dòng动
 。

There are many traditional etiquette activities during the Spring Festival.

Tā他
hěn很
dǒng懂
shè社
jiāo交
lǐ礼
yí仪
 ,
zài在
rèn任
hé何
chǎng场
hé合
dōu都
hěn很
dé得
tǐ体
 。

He understands social etiquette well and behaves appropriately in any situation.

Zhè这
ge个
mín民
zú族
yǒu有
zì自
jǐ己
dú独
tè特
de的
lǐ礼
yí仪
wén文
huà化
 。

This ethnic group has its own unique ritual culture.

2.

noun

courtesy; etiquette; polite gesture

Refers to words or actions that show respect to others in social interactions.

Wǒ我
men们
yīng应
gāi该
xué学
xí习
jī基
běn本
de的
lǐ礼
jié节
 。

We should learn basic etiquette.

Jiàn见
dào到
zhǎng长
bèi辈
yào要
xíng行
jìng敬
lǐ礼
 。

We should salute when meeting elders.

Show 3 more examples
Tā他
xiàng向
lǎo老
shī师
jìng敬
le了
gè个
lǐ礼
 。

He gave a salute to the teacher.

Zhè这
xiē些
lǐ礼
jié节
shì是
wǒ我
men们
wén文
huà化
de的
yī一
bù部
fèn分
 。

These etiquettes are part of our culture.

Yán言
tán谈
jǔ举
zhǐ止
yào要
yǒu有
lǐ礼
mào貌
 。

One should have good manners in speech and behavior.

3.

noun

gift; present

Refers to something given to someone as a token of affection, respect, or celebration.

Shēng生
rì日
shí时
wǒ我
shōu收
dào到
le了
hěn很
duō多
lǐ礼
wù物
 。

I received many gifts on my birthday.

Tā他
sòng送
le了
yī一
fèn份
guì贵
zhòng重
de的
lǐ礼
wù物
gěi给
wǒ我
 。

He gave me a valuable gift.

Show 3 more examples
Xiè谢
xie谢
nǐ你
de的
lǐ礼
wù物
 ,
wǒ我
hěn很
xǐ喜
huan欢
 。

Thank you for the gift, I like it very much.

Wǒ我
men们
yīng应
gāi该
gěi给
lǎo老
shī师
xiàn献
gè个
lǐ礼
wù物
 。

We should present a gift to our teacher.

Qiān千
lǐ里
sòng送
é鹅
máo毛
 ,
lǐ礼
qīng轻
qíng情
yì意
zhòng重
 。

A goose feather sent from a thousand miles away, the gift is light but the sentiment is heavy.

4.

verb

treat with courtesy; show respect to

literary

A literary term meaning to treat someone with courtesy and respect, often used in formal or classical contexts.

Zhè这
wèi位
lǐng领
dǎo导
lǐ礼
xián贤
xià下
shì士
 ,
shēn深
shòu受
yuán员
gōng工
zūn尊
jìng敬
 。

This leader treats virtuous people with respect and is deeply respected by employees.

Gǔ古
dài代
xián贤
míng明
de的
jūn君
zhǔ主
dōu都
dǒng懂
de得
lǐ礼
xián贤
xià下
shì士
 。

Wise monarchs in ancient times all knew how to treat virtuous people with respect.

Show 3 more examples
Tā他
lǐ礼
xián贤
xià下
shì士
de的
pǐn品
gé格
yíng赢
dé得
le了
dà大
jiā家
de的
zàn赞
shǎng赏
 。

His character of treating virtuous people with respect has won everyone's praise.

Zuò作
wéi为
xué学
zhě者
 ,
tā他
shǐ始
zhōng终
lǐ礼
jìng敬
qián前
bèi辈
 。

As a scholar, he always respects his predecessors.

Lǐ礼
xián贤
xià下
shì士
shì是
lǐng领
dǎo导
zhě者
yīng应
yǒu有
de的
pǐn品
dé德
 。

Treating virtuous people with respect is a necessary virtue for leaders.

5.

proper noun

a surname

Used when referring to people with the surname Li.

Tā他
xìng姓
Lǐ礼
 ,
shì是
wǒ我
men们
bān班
de的
xīn新
tóng同
xué学
 。

His surname is Li, and he is a new classmate in our class.

Lǐ礼
xiān先
sheng生
shì是
yī一
wèi位
zhù著
míng名
de的
lì历
shǐ史
xué学
jiā家
 。

Mr. Li is a famous historian.

Show 3 more examples
Lǐ礼
zhè这
ge个
xìng姓
shì氏
zài在
zhōng中
guó国
bù不
tài太
cháng常
jiàn见
 。

The surname Li is not very common in China.

Qǐng请
wèn问
nín您
shì是
Lǐ礼
lǎo老
shī师
ma吗
 ?

Excuse me, are you Teacher Li?

Lǐ礼
jiā家
zú族
yǒu有
hěn很
cháng长
de的
lì历
shǐ史
 。

The Li family has a long history.