礼尚往来

禮尚往來

lǐshàng-wǎnglái

idiom #44,409

Meanings

1 courtesy demands reciprocity
2 to return politeness for politeness
3 deal with a man as he deals with you

Characters

etiquette; courtesy

to esteem; to value

to go; outgoing

to come; incoming

Examples

中国人讲究礼尚往来，收了礼物就该回礼。

Zhōngguórén jiǎngjiū lǐshàng-wǎnglái, shōu le lǐwù jiù gāi huílǐ.

Chinese people value reciprocity — when you receive a gift you should return one.

既然他们请了我们吃饭，礼尚往来，下次该我们做东。

Jìrán tāmen qǐng le wǒmen chīfàn, lǐshàng-wǎnglái, xiàcì gāi wǒmen zuòdōng.

Since they treated us to dinner, out of reciprocity we should host next time.

Tips

history

From 《礼记·曲礼上》: 礼尚往来。往而不来，非礼也；来而不往，亦非礼也 — the Book of Rites states that going without return is impolite, and receiving without return is equally impolite.

culture

Central to Chinese social etiquette (人情). Extends beyond gifts to favors, invitations, and even retaliation — 'they hit us, we hit back, 礼尚往来' is used ironically for tit-for-tat.

Stroke Order

礼 lǐ

尚 shàng

往 wǎng

来 lái