敬礼
jìnglǐ
The Mandarin phrase for the verb 'salute' is 敬礼 (jìnglǐ).
敬礼 can be used in a military or official context to convey the act of 'saluting.'
Meaning: make a gesture (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word consists of 敬 (jìng), meaning respect and 礼 (lǐ), meaning rite or etiquette.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When specifying the person or object being saluted, use the structure 向 [person/object] 敬礼.
How do you pronounce it?
jìnglǐ
Did you know?
- In some historical dramas, a 'salute' is not a hand gesture at all, but a 'cupped fist' gesture known as '拱手礼' (gǒngshǒu lǐ), where one hand wraps around the other fist.
- The character 礼 can be written as 禮, which contains a radical representing 'silk', reflecting how ancient ritual gifts were wrapped in precious fabric.
- The concept of 礼 is so central to Chinese culture that it is one of the five constant virtues of Confucianism, making the word for 'salute' a pillar of moral philosophy.
Examples in context
- 我向您表示尊敬。I show my respect to you.
- 请向上级敬礼。Please salute your superiors.
- 我向老师致意！I give my respects to the teacher!
- 你知道怎么向长辈致意吗？Do you know how to show respect to elders?
- 敬礼时，以手肘对准肩部，然后翘起右手，手心向下，放在额前，成一个标准的军礼姿势。When saluting, align your elbow with your shoulder, then raise your right hand, palm facing down, and place it in front of your forehead, maintaining a standard military posture.
- 向国旗敬礼Salute the national flag
- 士兵向长官敬礼。Shìbīng xiàng zhǎngguān jìnglǐ.The soldiers salute the officer.
- 请向国旗敬礼。Qǐng xiàng guóqí jìnglǐ.Please salute the national flag.
- 他在仪式上敬礼。Tā zài yíshì shàng jìnglǐ.He salutes during the ceremony.
Example conversation
Wei and Yuting are visiting a military museum.
- 伟 Wei看，那个士兵在敬礼。Kàn, nàge shìbīng zài jìnglǐ.Look, that soldier is saluting.
- 雨婷 Yuting他的样子很精神。Tā de yàngzi hěn jīngshén.He looks very spirited.
- 伟 Wei我也想学怎么敬礼。Wǒ yě xiǎng xué zěnme jìnglǐ.I want to learn how to salute too.
- 雨婷 Yuting伟，你快去问问他吧。Wěi, nǐ kuài qù wènwen tā ba.Wei, go and ask him quickly.
