Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
礼貌(禮貌)lǐmào(li3mao4)
礼貌 (lǐ mào) refers to the concept of courtesy and manners in social interactions. It encompasses behaviors that show respect and consideration for others, often reflected in politeness and proper etiquette in various contexts, such as greetings, requests, and everyday conversation.
Frequency#2663DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 礼貌 is deeply ingrained in social interactions, reflecting Confucian values of respect and harmony. For instance, bowing slightly during greetings is a common practice to demonstrate 礼貌.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'li' (礼) of flowers being presented with great 'mao' (貌) or appearance, symbolizing how good manners enhance our interactions. Picture someone bowing politely as they hand over the flowers, emphasizing the importance of courtesy in relationships.
Meanings of 礼貌
lǐmào(li3mao4)
1courtesy
2manners
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 礼貌
礼貌Simplified
禮貌Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#2663Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 礼貌
Podcast: 礼貌
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 礼貌
Quick Contrast
礼仪 (lǐyí) refers specifically to formal ceremonies and rituals, while 礼貌 (lǐmào) emphasizes everyday politeness and manners.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'li' (礼) of flowers being presented with great 'mao' (貌) or appearance, symbolizing how good manners enhance our interactions. Picture someone bowing politely as they hand over the flowers, emphasizing the importance of courtesy in relationships.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of context when using 礼貌; it is often used in both formal and informal settings but can carry different weights. Common phrases include '有礼貌' (yǒu lǐ mào - to be polite) and '没礼貌' (méi lǐ mào - to be rude). Ensure correct tone pronunciation to avoid confusion.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 礼貌 connects with other vocabulary related to social interactions and personal conduct. Students should focus on using it in sentences about daily life and practice its pronunciation, especially the third and fourth tones.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 礼貌 is deeply ingrained in social interactions, reflecting Confucian values of respect and harmony. For instance, bowing slightly during greetings is a common practice to demonstrate 礼貌.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 礼貌 with related terms like '礼节' (lǐ jié - etiquette), which can lead to miscommunication about the specific aspect of manners. For example, saying '我没有礼节' (Wǒ méi yǒu lǐ jié) instead of '我没有礼貌' (Wǒ méi yǒu lǐ mào) changes the intended meaning from politeness to general etiquette.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 礼貌
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 礼貌 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 礼貌 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 礼貌
礼貌 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
I think English men are very polite and very correct.
7
他话不多，很有礼貌，为人谦和。
tā huà bù duō， ， hěn yǒu lǐ， mào ， wéi rén。
He's a man of few words, very polite and unassuming.
8
她只是出于礼貌听他讲话。
tā zhī shì chū yú lǐ mào tīng tā jiǎng huà。
She listened to him, but only out of politeness.
9
她认为边吃东西边说话是不礼貌的.
tā rèn wéi biān chī dōng xī biān shuō huà shì bù lǐ mào de.
She considers it ( to be ) impolite to talk while eating.
10
请礼貌待客。
qǐng lǐ mào dài kè。
Please be polite to our guests.
Cultural Notes for 礼貌
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 礼貌 is deeply ingrained in social interactions, reflecting Confucian values of respect and harmony. For instance, bowing slightly during greetings is a common practice to demonstrate 礼貌.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While both Chinese and Western cultures value manners, the expressions of礼貌 in China often involve indirect communication and a higher emphasis on social hierarchy, compared to the more direct approach typically found in Western cultures.
Frequently Asked Questions about 礼貌
You can say '他很有礼貌' (Tā hěn yǒu lǐ mào) meaning 'He is very polite.'
Synonyms include '礼节' (lǐ jié) for etiquette and '客气' (kè qì) for being courteous.
No, 礼貌 can be used in both formal and informal situations, but it's especially important in formal contexts.
