Meaning
礼物 refers to something given voluntarily to someone without expectation of payment, typically to show favor, affection, or respect. It's the standard everyday word for 'gift' or 'present' in Mandarin, used for birthdays, holidays, weddings, and other occasions.
Usage
礼物 is neutral in register and appropriate for all contexts, from casual to formal. It's commonly used with verbs like 送 (sòng, to give), 收到 (shōu dào, to receive), and 准备 (zhǔnbèi, to prepare). Chinese gift-giving culture often emphasizes reciprocity and appropriate occasions.
Examples
- 01我给她买了一份生日礼物。.I bought her a birthday present.
- 02谢谢你的礼物，我很喜欢。, .Thank you for your gift, I really like it.
Characters
Measure words
- 份一份礼物
- 件两件礼物
Common collocations
- 送礼物to give a gift
- 收到礼物to receive a gift
- 生日礼物birthday present
- 准备礼物to prepare a gift
Origin
礼 originally referred to ritual ceremonies and proper behavior in classical Chinese, later extending to gifts given as expressions of respect. 物 simply means 'object' or 'thing,' so 礼物 literally means 'courtesy object' or 'ritual thing.'