礼堂

• Pinyin: lǐ táng
• Hanzi breakdown: 礼 = 礻(ritual) + 乚, ceremony; 堂 = 尚 + 土, hall

Meaning

Auditorium; assembly hall. A large room for ceremonies, performances, or gatherings.

Found in schools, government buildings, and institutions for formal gatherings. Common compounds: 大礼堂 (great hall), 人民大会堂 (Great Hall of the People, though using 堂 not 礼堂). Used for graduation ceremonies, assemblies, performances, and lectures.

Examples

1. 学校的毕业典礼在大礼堂举行，能容纳两千多人。 The school graduation ceremony is held in the main auditorium, which can accommodate over two thousand people.
2. 今天礼堂里有一场音乐会，票早就卖完了。 There's a concert in the auditorium today; tickets sold out long ago.
3. 每周一早上，全校师生都要在礼堂集合举行升旗仪式。 Every Monday morning, all teachers and students gather in the auditorium for the flag-raising ceremony.

Usage Guide

Context: school, ceremonies, events

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 礼堂在校园的北边。(The auditorium is on the north side of campus.)
• 请大家到礼堂集合。(Everyone please gather at the auditorium.)

Don't Say

• 把礼堂和剧院混用 (礼堂 is for assemblies/ceremonies; 剧院 is specifically for theatrical performances)

Origin & History

Compound of 礼 (ceremony/ritual) + 堂 (hall). A hall specifically for formal ceremonies and gatherings.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal