典礼

• Pinyin: diǎn lǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 典 = 册 (books) on 几 (table); 礼 = 礻(spirit) + 乚

Meaning

Ceremony; ritual. A formal event held to celebrate or mark an important occasion.

Used for significant formal events such as 毕业典礼 (graduation ceremony), 开幕典礼 (opening ceremony), 婚礼典礼 (wedding ceremony), and 颁奖典礼 (award ceremony).

Examples

1. 毕业典礼上，校长向所有毕业生致辞祝贺。 At the graduation ceremony, the principal addressed and congratulated all the graduates.
2. 公司举办了隆重的十周年庆典礼。 The company held a grand tenth anniversary celebration ceremony.
3. 他被邀请在开幕典礼上发表演讲。 He was invited to give a speech at the opening ceremony.

Usage Guide

Context: events, celebration, official

Tone: ceremonial

Do Say

• 典礼即将开始。(The ceremony is about to begin.)
• 参加毕业典礼。(Attend the graduation ceremony.)

Don't Say

• '典礼'用于正式场合——朋友间的小聚会不叫'典礼'，用'聚会'或'派对' (典礼 is for formal occasions — casual get-togethers with friends are not 典礼; use 聚会 or 派对)

Origin & History

Compound of 典 (canon, ceremony) + 礼 (ritual, ceremony), both relating to formal rituals.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal