shǎolǐ

少礼

Word · VerbTraditional少禮

please don't stand on ceremony; excuse my lack of manners

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 5 examples
1.

verb

please do not stand on ceremony; please do not bother with formalities

formal

Used as a polite formula when receiving guests to put them at ease. Often paired with encouraging them to sit or make themselves comfortable.

Shǎo少
lǐ礼
 ，
shǎo少
lǐ礼
 ，
kuài快
qǐng请
jìn进
lái来
zuò坐
 。

Please don't stand on ceremony; please come in and sit down.

Gé阁
xià下
shǎo少
lǐ礼
 ，
cǐ此
chù处
biàn便
rú如
zì自
jiā家
yī一
bān般
 。

Please don't stand on ceremony, sir; consider this place as your own home.

2.

verb

to apologize for one's lack of manners; to excuse oneself for not being courteous enough

formal

Used as a self-deprecating formula to apologize for inadequate hospitality or etiquette. Often used when saying goodbye or when one feels one has not properly received a guest.

Zhāo招
dài待
bù不
zhōu周
 ，
shǎo少
lǐ礼
le了
 。

I have been a poor host; please excuse my lack of manners.

Jīn今
rì日
shǎo少
lǐ礼
zhī之
chù处
 ，
hái还
wàng望
hǎi海
hán涵
 。

Please forgive any lack of courtesy on my part today.

Show 1 more example
Hán寒
shè舍
jiǎn简
lòu陋
 ，
duō多
yǒu有
shǎo少
lǐ礼
 。

My humble abode is simple, and I have been remiss in many courtesies.