礼貌 (lǐmào)

礼貌 describes polite behavior and good manners, and is both a noun (politeness) and an adjective (polite) in Chinese.

Meanings

[adjective] polite, courteous, well-mannered
[noun] politeness, courtesy, good manners

Example Sentences

他说话很有礼貌。 Tā shuōhuà hěn yǒu lǐmào. He speaks very politely.

礼貌是与人交往的基本要求。 Lǐmào shì yǔ rén jiāowǎng de jīběn yāoqiú. Politeness is a basic requirement for getting along with others.

孩子们应该从小学会礼貌待人。 Háizimen yīnggāi cóng xiǎo xuéhuì lǐmào dài rén. Children should learn to treat people politely from a young age.

她的礼貌让所有人都对她印象很好。 Tā de lǐmào ràng suǒyǒu rén dōu duì tā yìnxiàng hěn hǎo. Her politeness gave everyone a very good impression of her.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
有礼貌 (yǒu lǐmào)	to be polite
不礼貌 (bù lǐmào)	impolite, rude
礼貌用语 (lǐmào yòngyǔ)	polite expressions
讲礼貌 (jiǎng lǐmào)	to observe good manners

Usage Notes

礼貌 is most naturally used in the pattern 有礼貌 (yǒu lǐmào, "to be polite") or 没有礼貌 / 不礼貌 (to be impolite). As an adjective, it cannot directly modify nouns without 的: 礼貌的行为 (lǐmào de xíngwéi, "polite behavior"). 礼貌 differs from 客气 (kèqi), which refers more specifically to being modest and deferential in social situations.

Memory Hook

礼 means "ritual/etiquette" and 貌 means "appearance/manner" — your 礼貌 is the outward appearance of your etiquette.