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礼仪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
礼仪lǐyíetiquetteHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #11196, Very Hard
礼仪lǐyíceremonyHSK 7, unknown, 10 strokes, rank #11196, Very Hard
lǐyí(li3yi2)li yi T3
  1. 1etiquette
  2. 2ceremony
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March 24, 2026

礼仪(禮儀)lǐyí(li3yi2)

礼仪 (lǐ yí) refers to the formalities, manners, and ceremonies that govern social interactions in Chinese culture. It encompasses a wide range of practices, from everyday politeness to elaborate rituals in significant life events, reflecting respect and societal values.

Strokes10Frequency#11196DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, 礼仪 is deeply rooted in Confucian values, emphasizing respect for elders and the importance of maintaining harmony in social relationships. This is especially visible during traditional festivals and family gatherings.

Memory tip

Think of 礼 (lǐ) as 'gift' or 'ritual' and 仪 (yí) as 'ceremony'. Imagine giving a beautifully wrapped gift at a formal ceremony, where the proper etiquette is crucial. The visual of a respectful exchange helps you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 礼仪

lǐyí(li3yi2)
1etiquette
2ceremony
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About 礼仪

礼仪Simplified
禮儀Traditional
10Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 礼仪

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AI study notes for 礼仪

Quick Contrast

礼节 (lǐjié) refers more specifically to the etiquette or rules of conduct in social situations, while 礼仪 (lǐyí) encompasses a broader range of formalities and ceremonies.

Usage Notes

礼仪 is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of its association with traditional and cultural events. Common collocations include '社交礼仪' (social etiquette) and '婚礼仪式' (wedding ceremony). Remember to pronounce it with the correct tones to convey the right meaning.

HSK Study Tips

While 礼仪 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it connects to concepts of respect and social behavior common in beginner levels. Students should focus on tone mastery and understanding the cultural contexts in which etiquette is emphasized.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 礼仪 with 礼物 (lǐwù), which means 'gift'. Remember, 礼仪 pertains to etiquette and ceremony rather than physical gifts. Another common mistake is mispronouncing the tones, which can change the meaning entirely.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 礼仪

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Component characters

礼lǐgift
HSK 55 strokes礻
View full entry
仪yíapparatus
HSK 65 strokes亻
View full entry

How to say etiquette in Chinese

“etiquette” in Chinese is礼仪lǐyí

礼仪 (lǐ yí) refers to the formalities, manners, and ceremonies that govern social interactions in Chinese culture. It encompasses a wide range of practices, from everyday politeness to elaborate rituals in significant life events, reflecting respect and societal values.

When to use 礼仪

礼仪 is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of its association with traditional and cultural events. Common collocations include '社交礼仪' (social etiquette) and '婚礼仪式' (wedding ceremony). Remember to pronounce it with the correct tones to convey the right meaning.

礼仪 or something close to it

礼节 (lǐjié) refers more specifically to the etiquette or rules of conduct in social situations, while 礼仪 (lǐyí) encompasses a broader range of formalities and ceremonies.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 礼仪 with 礼物 (lǐwù), which means 'gift'. Remember, 礼仪 pertains to etiquette and ceremony rather than physical gifts. Another common mistake is mispronouncing the tones, which can change the meaning entirely.

Write 礼仪

礼
仪

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Cultural Notes for 礼仪

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While Western cultures also value etiquette, the specific rituals and forms of respect can differ significantly, with Chinese 礼仪 often being more formal and structured compared to the more relaxed Western customs.

Frequently asked questions about 礼仪

Examples include bowing slightly when greeting someone, using formal titles, and following specific protocols during meals.

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