来而不往非礼也 lái ér bù wǎng fēi lǐ yě

to respond in kind

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to respond in kind
  2. 2. not to reciprocate is against etiquette (classical)

Characters

Character Meaning
来 lái HSK 1
to come; to arrive; next
而 ér HSK 3
and; but (not); (indicates contrast)
不 bù HSK 1
not; no; (negative prefix)
往 wǎng HSK 2
towards; to go (in a direction); to
非 fēi HSK 2
not; to not be; non-
礼 lǐ HSK 3
etiquette; courtesy; gift
也 yě HSK 2
also; too; surname Ye