Definition
This is a set phrase (成语) meaning 'courtesy demands reciprocity' — the idea that proper social behavior requires returning a favor or gift. It's used to describe the cultural expectation of mutual exchange, especially in Chinese social and business contexts.
idiom
reciprocityto return a favor as a matter of courtesy
Examples
- ，礼尚往来。Zài rénjì jiāowǎng zhōng, lǐ shàng wǎng lái shì fēicháng zhòngyào de.In interpersonal communication, reciprocity is very important.
- ，礼尚往来。Tā sòng le wǒ yí fèn hòu lǐ, wǒ zìrán yě yào lǐ shàng wǎng lái.He gave me a generous gift, so of course I should reciprocate.
- 礼尚往来，。Zhōngguó rén jiǎngjiu lǐ shàng wǎng lái, shōu dào lǐwù hòu yìbān huì huí zèng.Chinese people value reciprocity; after receiving a gift, they usually give something in return.
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