礼物
lǐwù
In Chinese, the word for present is 礼物 (lǐwù).
The word 礼物 is used to refer to a present or a gift. When you want to express the act of giving a present, you commonly use the verb 送 (sòng) followed by 礼物, creating the phrase 送礼物.
Meaning: to put (something) forward in order for it to be seen, to show, exhibit (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
礼物 is composed of 礼 (lǐ), meaning ritual or etiquette and 物 (wù), meaning thing or object.
Which one should you use?
While 礼物 is the standard term, you might encounter other variations: 小礼物 refers to a small gift or a small token given between friends or acquaintances and 赠品 is used specifically for a promotional or complimentary gift.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting presents, you can use the measure word 份 (fèn) or 件 (jiàn). For example, 一份礼物 means a present. Additionally, the word 的 (de) can be used after a noun to show possession or attribution.
How do you pronounce it?
lǐwù
When do people say it?
When someone gives you a gift, you can say 感谢 (gǎn xiè) or 谢谢 (xiè xiè) to say thank you.
Did you know?
- Giving a clock as a 礼物 is considered a serious taboo in Chinese culture because the phrase 'giving a clock' sounds like a phrase used for attending a funeral.
- Certain items are avoided as a 礼物 because their names are homophones for bad luck, such as umbrellas, which sound like the word for 'separating'.
- If you receive a gift in a formal setting, it is common practice to politely decline it once or twice before accepting to show modesty.
Examples in context
- 我会送您一份礼物。I'll give you a present.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase for giving a present with 礼物.Tatoeba #10199273 by slo_oth, translation #25221 by CK
- 我送给汤姆一份临别礼物I gave Tom a going-away present.This sentence is useful for describing a going-away present using 礼物.Tatoeba #5426366 by Janevy, translation #2541571 by CK
- 我想给我朋友选个礼物。I want to pick out a present for my friend.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to pick out a present using 礼物.Tatoeba #10005769 by GlossaMatik, translation #262046 by CK
- 谢谢你送的礼物Thank you for the gift you gave.
- 我们为您准备了一份小礼物We have prepared a small gift for you.
- 我们给你准备了一个小礼物We've prepared a small gift for you.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yuting is showing Zhiqiang a gift she bought for a friend.
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，你看这个礼物怎么样？Zhìqiáng, nǐ kàn zhège lǐwù zěnmeyàng?Zhiqiang, what do you think of this gift?
- 志强 Zhiqiang这个礼物很漂亮。Zhège lǐwù hěn piàoliang.This gift is very beautiful.
- 雨婷 Yuting太好了，他一定会喜欢这个礼物。Tài hǎole, tā yīdìng huì xǐhuān zhège lǐwù.Great, he will definitely like this gift.
- 志强 Zhiqiang没错，是个很棒的礼物。Méi cuò, shì gè hěn bàng de lǐwù.That's true, it's a wonderful gift.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
