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March 24, 2026
礼貌(禮貌)lǐmào(li3mao4)
礼貌 (lǐ mào) refers to the concept of courtesy and manners in social interactions. It encompasses behaviors that show respect and consideration for others, often reflected in politeness and proper etiquette in various contexts, such as greetings, requests, and everyday conversation.
Strokes19Frequency#2663DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 礼貌 is deeply ingrained in social interactions, reflecting Confucian values of respect and harmony. For instance, bowing slightly during greetings is a common practice to demonstrate 礼貌.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'li' (礼) of flowers being presented with great 'mao' (貌) or appearance, symbolizing how good manners enhance our interactions. Picture someone bowing politely as they hand over the flowers, emphasizing the importance of courtesy in relationships.
Meanings of 礼貌
lǐmào(li3mao4)
1courtesy
2manners
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About 礼貌
礼貌Simplified
禮貌Traditional
19Strokes
—Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#2663Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 礼貌
Podcast: 礼貌
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AI Study Notes for 礼貌
Quick Contrast
礼仪 (lǐyí) refers specifically to formal ceremonies and rituals, while 礼貌 (lǐmào) emphasizes everyday politeness and manners.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of context when using 礼貌; it is often used in both formal and informal settings but can carry different weights. Common phrases include '有礼貌' (yǒu lǐ mào - to be polite) and '没礼貌' (méi lǐ mào - to be rude). Ensure correct tone pronunciation to avoid confusion.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 礼貌 connects with other vocabulary related to social interactions and personal conduct. Students should focus on using it in sentences about daily life and practice its pronunciation, especially the third and fourth tones.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 礼貌 with related terms like '礼节' (lǐ jié - etiquette), which can lead to miscommunication about the specific aspect of manners. For example, saying '我没有礼节' (Wǒ méi yǒu lǐ jié) instead of '我没有礼貌' (Wǒ méi yǒu lǐ mào) changes the intended meaning from politeness to general etiquette.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 礼貌
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礼貌 (lǐ mào) refers to the concept of courtesy and manners in social interactions. It encompasses behaviors that show respect and consideration for others, often reflected in politeness and proper etiquette in various contexts, such as greetings, requests, and everyday conversation.
When to use 礼貌
Be mindful of context when using 礼貌; it is often used in both formal and informal settings but can carry different weights. Common phrases include '有礼貌' (yǒu lǐ mào - to be polite) and '没礼貌' (méi lǐ mào - to be rude). Ensure correct tone pronunciation to avoid confusion.
礼貌 or something close to it
礼仪 (lǐyí) refers specifically to formal ceremonies and rituals, while 礼貌 (lǐmào) emphasizes everyday politeness and manners.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 礼貌 with related terms like '礼节' (lǐ jié - etiquette), which can lead to miscommunication about the specific aspect of manners. For example, saying '我没有礼节' (Wǒ méi yǒu lǐ jié) instead of '我没有礼貌' (Wǒ méi yǒu lǐ mào) changes the intended meaning from politeness to general etiquette.
Write 礼貌
礼
貌
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Grammar Patterns of 礼貌
礼貌 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Even during arguments, he can maintain courtesy, which I greatly admire.
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Cultural Notes for 礼貌
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While both Chinese and Western cultures value manners, the expressions of礼貌 in China often involve indirect communication and a higher emphasis on social hierarchy, compared to the more direct approach typically found in Western cultures.
Frequently Asked Questions about 礼貌
You can say '他很有礼貌' (Tā hěn yǒu lǐ mào) meaning 'He is very polite.'
Synonyms include '礼节' (lǐ jié) for etiquette and '客气' (kè qì) for being courteous.
No, 礼貌 can be used in both formal and informal situations, but it's especially important in formal contexts.
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