Definition
拘礼 means 'to be overly formal' or 'to stand on ceremony'. It is a separable verb (离合词) — you can insert words between 拘 and 礼, like 拘什么礼 ('what formality'). It is often used in polite refusals or negative commands (不必拘礼 'don't stand on ceremony'), especially when encouraging someone to relax and act naturally.
v.o.
to stand on ceremonyto be overly formal or punctilious
Examples
- ，拘礼。Dàjiā dōu shì péngyou, búbì jū lǐ.We're all friends, no need to stand on ceremony.
- ，。Lái wǒ jiā jiù bié jū shénme lǐ le, suíbiàn zuò.When you come to my place, don't stand on ceremony — just sit anywhere.
- 拘礼，。Tā zhège rén tài jū lǐ, gēn shéi shuōhuà dōu kèkèqìqì de.He's too formal; he's polite to everyone he talks to.
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