Learn a Chinese Character - 礼

1. Character Basics

Radical: 礻 (示, ritual radical)

Stroke Count: 5

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: lǐ (Third tone)

3. Meaning

Ritual; ceremony; etiquette; courtesy; manners; gift; present; tribute; propriety; respect; decorum; the Rites (one of the Confucian classics); social norms; formalities

4. Common Words

• 礼貌 (lǐmào) - politeness; good manners; courtesy
• 礼物 (lǐwù) - gift; present; souvenir
• 礼节 (lǐjié) - etiquette; ceremony; formality
• 礼仪 (lǐyí) - etiquette; protocol; formal ceremony
• 敬礼 (jìnglǐ) - to salute; to pay respects; greeting
• 婚礼 (hūnlǐ) - wedding ceremony; marriage
• 葬礼 (zànglǐ) - funeral; burial ceremony
• 典礼 (diǎnlǐ) - ceremony; celebration; formal event

5. Grammar & Usage

The character "礼" is widely used in Chinese to refer to rituals, etiquette, and social norms. It can function as both a noun and a verb component.

Grammar Patterns:

• As a noun component: 礼 + 貌/物/节/仪 (e.g., 礼貌 (politeness), 礼物 (gift), 礼节 (etiquette))
• As a verb component: 敬/行/讲 + 礼 (e.g., 敬礼 (to salute), 行礼 (to perform a ritual), 讲礼 (to be polite))
• In compound words describing specific ceremonies: 婚/葬/典 + 礼 (e.g., 婚礼 (wedding), 葬礼 (funeral), 典礼 (ceremony))
• Common phrases: "礼尚往来" (lǐ shàng wǎng lái) - Courtesy demands reciprocity; "礼轻情意重" (lǐ qīng qíng yì zhòng) - The gift is light but the feeling is deep

6. Cultural Background

The character "礼" holds profound cultural significance in Chinese civilization, particularly in Confucian philosophy and traditional Chinese society.

In Confucianism, "礼" (ritual propriety) is one of the core virtues and is considered essential for maintaining social harmony and order. Confucius emphasized that observing proper rituals and etiquette was fundamental to becoming a virtuous person.

Traditional Chinese society was deeply influenced by the concept of "礼," which governed various aspects of life including family relationships, social interactions, and political affairs. The "Three Rites" (三礼) - the Book of Rites, the Rites of Zhou, and the Etiquette and Ceremonial - are important Confucian classics that detail proper behavior and rituals.

The practice of giving gifts (礼物) is an important aspect of Chinese social culture, reflecting respect, gratitude, and maintaining relationships. Gift-giving follows specific etiquette regarding timing, value, and appropriate items.

In modern China, while some traditional rituals have evolved, the core values of respect, courtesy, and maintaining harmonious relationships associated with "礼" remain important in Chinese society.

Confucius once said, "Without ritual, propriety is lost; without propriety, shame and disgrace come" (不学礼，无以立), highlighting the importance of etiquette in personal and social development.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character "礼" (lǐ) consists of:

• The radical "礻" (示, ritual radical) on the left, which is associated with rituals, sacrifices, and spiritual matters
• The component "乙" (yǐ) on the right

To remember the character, associate the radical "礻" (which resembles a altar with offerings) with the concept of rituals and ceremonies that are central to the meaning of "礼."

Another mnemonic: The radical "礻" can be thought of as representing traditional Chinese rituals, and the character as a whole represents the formal rules and practices of these rituals.

Practice writing the character following the stroke order, paying attention to the proportions between the radical and the right component.

Connect the character with common words like "礼貌" (politeness) and "礼物" (gift) to reinforce its meaning and usage in everyday contexts.