Chinese word

礼貌用语

Pronunciation

Pinyinlǐ mào yòng yǔ

Meaning

  • nounpolite expressions

Example

学会一些礼貌用语很重要。xué huì yì xiē lǐ mào yòng yǔ hěn zhòng yào

Learning some polite expressions is important.

Illustration for 礼貌用语 (polite expressions)

More examples

遇到陌生人先用礼貌用语打招呼。yù dào mò shēng rén xiān yòng lǐ mào yòng yǔ dǎ zhāo hū

When you meet a stranger, greet them first with polite expressions.

Core concept

A layer of courtesy built into speech, where word choice, sentence shape, and tone signal regard for another person.

Common phrases

  • 学习礼貌用语xué xí lǐ mào yòng yǔ

    learn polite expressions

  • 用礼貌用语打招呼yòng lǐ mào yòng yǔ dǎ zhāo hū

    greet someone with polite expressions

  • 在邮件中使用礼貌用语zài yóu jiàn zhōng shǐ yòng lǐ mào yòng yǔ

    use polite expressions in an email

Similar words

敬语jìng yǔ: Respectful and formal language for addressing elders or others in higher social positions.
客气话kè qì huà: Soft, modest words that show courtesy and avoid sounding too direct.
文明用语wén míng yòng yǔ: Simple polite expressions that help people behave courteously in public.
问候语wèn hòu yǔ: Greeting expressions used when meeting someone or writing to ask how they are.

Definition in Chinese

用于表现对他人的尊重与礼节的语言单位，包含典型的礼貌表达及其句式和语气调整。yòng yú biǎo xiàn duì tā rén de zūn zhòng yǔ lǐ jié de yǔ yán dān wèi bāo hán diǎn xíng de lǐ mào biǎo dá jí qí jù shì hé yǔ qì tiáo zhěng

Word origin

礼貌用语 (lǐmàoyòngyǔ, "polite expressions") is formed from 礼貌 (lǐmào, "politeness") and 用语 (yòngyǔ, "language use"), linking courteous behavior with the language that expresses it.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may associate politeness mainly with special courtesy words, but in Chinese the social effect also depends strongly on how directly or gently an utterance is framed.

Opposites

  • 粗俗用语cū sú yòng yǔvulgar expressionsnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word