breach etiquette; be disrespectful
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to breach etiquette; to violate social propriety
Describes behavior that violates social norms, etiquette, or proper conduct. Often used to characterize actions rather than as a direct apology.
Zài在
zhǎng长
bèi辈
miàn面
qián前
dà大
shēng声
xuān喧
huá哗
shì是
shī失
lǐ礼
de的
xíng行
wéi为
。
Shouting loudly in front of elders is impolite behavior.
Zhè这
yàng样
zuò做
tài太
shī失
lǐ礼
le了
，
kuài快
dào道
qiàn歉
。
This is too rude; apologize quickly.
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Yàn宴
huì会
chí迟
dào到
shì是
jí极
wéi为
shī失
lǐ礼
de的
。
Arriving late to a banquet is extremely improper.
verb
to fail to show proper respect; to be discourteous (often used as a self-deprecating apology)
formalCommonly used as a polite formula to apologize for failing to recognize someone, for a social oversight, or for not showing adequate respect. Often stands alone as '失礼了' or doubled as '失礼失礼' in very formal or traditional contexts.
Gāng刚
cái才
méi没
yǒu有
rèn认
chū出
nín您
，
zhēn真
shì是
shī失
lǐ礼
le了
。
I didn't recognize you just now; please pardon my disrespect.
Shī失
lǐ礼
le了
，
qǐng请
wèn问
nín您
guì贵
xìng姓
？
Pardon me, may I ask your honorable surname?
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Zhāo招
dài待
bù不
zhōu周
，
shī失
lǐ礼
zhī之
chù处
hái还
qǐng请
bāo包
han涵
。
The hospitality was inadequate; please forgive any discourtesy on my part.