礼

禮
lǐ
#924 most
frequent character
ceremony, rite, courtesy, manners
noun
Measure words:份 fèn

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

礼 uses 礻 ancestral tablet for its meaning, since tablets were used in ceremonies. The 乚 part is now empty; it shortened 豊 lǐ, once the sound part. The first meaning was a ceremony, which grew to etiquette, ceremonial gifts, and gifts.

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Example Sentences

他在婚礼上表演了一个节目。
tāzài hūnlǐ shàng biǎoyǎn le yígè jiémù 。
He performed a program at the wedding ceremony.
我们应该尊重传统礼仪。
wǒmen yīnggāi zūnzhòng chuántǒng lǐyí 。
We should respect traditional manners.
这份礼物是送给你的。
zhè fèn lǐwù shì sònggěi nǐde 。
This gift is for you.

Same Characters, Different Readings

礼Li3
surname Li

Words with similar meanings

礼仪lǐyí
etiquette
A more formal term referring to the accepted conventions of social behavior.
仪式yíshì
ceremony
Refers to a formal event, often religious or cultural, which is a specific kind of 礼.
赠品zèngpǐn
gift
Specifically refers to a gift item or present, which can be considered a subset of 礼.

Words Starting With 礼

礼物lǐ wù
"gift; present
礼貌lǐ mào
courtesy; manners
礼拜天lǐ bài tiān
Sunday
礼节lǐ jié
etiquette

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