礼仪

• Pinyin: lǐ yí
• Hanzi breakdown: 礼 = 礻(ritual radical) + 乙 (phonetic); 仪 = 亻(person radical) + 义 (righteousness — right conduct)

Meaning

Etiquette; protocol; ceremonial rites; the rules and customs governing formal behaviour and conduct.

Encompasses both the formal rules of conduct for official occasions (diplomatic, state, ceremonial) and general standards of polite social behaviour. A central concept in Confucian thought. Modern usage includes 商务礼仪 (business etiquette), 社交礼仪 (social etiquette), and 礼仪培训 (etiquette training).

Examples

1. 外交场合对礼仪的要求极为严格，任何细节都不容疏忽。 In diplomatic settings, etiquette requirements are extremely strict, and no detail can be overlooked.
2. 她参加了一个商务礼仪培训课程，以便更好地应对国际谈判。 She took a business etiquette training course so she could better handle international negotiations.
3. 中国传统礼仪文化源远流长，历经数千年的传承与演变。 Traditional Chinese etiquette culture has a long history, shaped by thousands of years of inheritance and evolution.

Usage Guide

Context: diplomacy, business, culture, education

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 掌握基本的社交礼仪有助于在职场中建立良好的专业形象。(Mastering basic social etiquette helps build a strong professional image in the workplace.)
• 出席国际会议前，代表团成员都接受了专门的外交礼仪培训。(Before attending the international conference, delegation members received dedicated diplomatic protocol training.)

Don't Say

• 将礼仪与礼貌混用 — 礼貌是日常行为中对他人的尊重，礼仪侧重于特定正式场合须遵守的行为规范与程序

Origin & History

礼 (rites/propriety) + 仪 (ceremony/standard — proper appearance and conduct)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal