投桃报李

投桃報李

tóutáobàolǐ

idiom #40,831

Meanings

1 to return a peach for a plum
2 to return a kindness
3 mutual giving between friends

Characters

Examples

朋友送了我一本书，我也送他一本，投桃报李嘛。

Péngyou sòng le wǒ yī běn shū, wǒ yě sòng tā yī běn, tóu táo bào lǐ ma.

A friend gave me a book, so I gave him one in return — you give a peach, you get a plum.

邻里之间投桃报李，关系才能越来越融洽。

Línlǐ zhī jiān tóu táo bào lǐ, guānxì cái néng yuè lái yuè róngqià.

Neighbors who exchange small kindnesses keep relations warm over time.

Tips

history

From the 《诗经·大雅·抑》: 投我以桃，报之以李 ('you gave me a peach, I return a plum'). Unlike 礼尚往来 which is about propriety, 投桃报李 emphasizes warmth and mutual affection.

Stroke Order

投 tóu

桃 táo

报 bào

李 lǐ