禮尚往來 lǐ shàng wǎng lái

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. proper behavior is based on reciprocity (idiom)
  2. fig. to return politeness for politeness

CHARACTERS

禮 lǐ social custom; manners; courtesy; rites
尚 shàng
HSK 5
still, yet; even; fairly, rather
往 wǎng
HSK 2
go, depart; past, formerly
來 lái come, coming; return, returning