礼
lǐ · ritual / propriety💡 How to pronounce
l → like the 'l' in 'love'. ǐ → like 'ee' with a falling-rising tone.
📖 The Story
礼 is ritual — the social norms, ceremonies, and manners that keep society harmonious. The character shows a ritual vessel (礻) and a person holding it — the act of offering with respect. Confucius taught that '礼' is the foundation of a civilized society.
🎬 In Culture Today
In traditional Chinese culture, '礼' governs everything — from how you greet someone to how you conduct a wedding. The phrase '礼仪之邦' (lǐ yí zhī bāng) means 'a nation of etiquette' and is used to describe China.
📚 Words
礼貌politeness
礼仪etiquette
礼物gift
📝 Example Sentences
中国是礼仪之邦。
China is a nation of etiquette.
他要懂得礼貌。
He needs to learn politeness.