礼尚往来

lǐ shàng wǎng lái

  • Meaning

    Literal

    -

    Usage

    To respond to someone with the same amount of courtesy they used with you. Often used in the context of gifts.

  • Connotation

    Neutral

  • Usage Examples

    朋友请你吃饭,不要觉得理所当然,请礼尚往来,否则你的名声会越来越差 | Péngyǒu qǐng nǐ chīfàn, bù yào juéde lǐsuǒdāngrán, qǐng lǐshàngwǎnglái, fǒuzé nǐ de míngshēng huì yuèláiyuè chà
    If a friend invites you out to eat, you shouldn't take it for granted. Return the favor, or your reputation will suffer
    [Source]

    我过生日时,他送我一个生日蛋糕,他过生日时,我也送去一份,礼尚往来嘛! | Wǒg uò shēngrì shí, tā sòng wǒ yī gè shēngrì dàngāo, tā guò shēngrì shí, wǒ yě sòng qù yī fèn, lǐshàngwǎnglái ma!
    He gave me a birthday cake for my birthday, so when it was his birthday, I returned the favor and gave him a cake as well
    [Source]

  • Equivalents

    English

    None

    Chinese

    None

  • Entry Notes

    This is an HSK chengyu

  • Origin

    《礼记》(Lǐ Jì, "The Book of Rites"), one of the five classic works of Confucianism

  • Story

    This chengyu comes from a line in the work listed in the "Origin" section above

  • Citations and Helpful Resources

    • 汉语成语小词典 (hànyǔ chéngyǔ xiǎo cídiǎn)
    • 现代汉语规范词典 (xiàndài hànyǔ guīfàn cídiǎn)
    • 多功能成语词典 (duō gōngnéng chéngyǔ cídiǎn)
    • 汉语大词典 (hànyǔ dà cídiǎn)
    • ABC Chinese-English Comprehensive Dictionary
    • Pleco Basic Chinese-English Dictionary
    • 百度百科[x]
    • 语文米[x]