Chengyu for greetings and courtesy
These high-utility **chengyu (成语)** and fixed four-character well-wishes help you greet people politely, show respect, and maintain smooth social interactions in Chinese. Use them in introductions, meetings, messages, and festive occasions.
- Chengyu Idioms
- 3 min read
Article 2 of 5 in Basic-Chengyu-for-Beginners/
Polite Introductions & Meeting New People
- 久仰大名 (jiǔ yǎng dà míng) — I’ve long admired your great name → Pleased to finally meet you (very polite).
例: 初次见面,久仰大名,请多指教。 - 幸会幸会 (xìng huì xìng huì) — fortunate to meet, fortunate to meet → A warm, respectful “nice to meet you.”
例: 早就听说您的研究,今天见到您,幸会幸会。 - 洗耳恭听 (xǐ ěr gōng tīng) — wash my ears and respectfully listen → I’m all ears (deferential).
例: 您请说,我洗耳恭听。
Courtesy & Reciprocity
- 礼尚往来 (lǐ shàng wǎng lái) — courtesy values reciprocity → Courtesy should be returned.
例: 上次承蒙关照,这次我请客,礼尚往来。 - 承蒙关照 (chéng méng guān zhào) — gratefully under your care → Thank you for looking after me/us (polite formula).
例: 初来乍到,承蒙关照。 - 客随主便 (kè suí zhǔ biàn) — guests follow the host’s convenience → I’ll go with your arrangement.
例: 用餐时间您定,客随主便。
Thanks & Apologies (High Register)
- 感激不尽 (gǎn jī bù jìn) — gratitude without end → Most grateful.
例: 对您的帮助感激不尽。 - 不胜感激 (bù shèng gǎn jī) — cannot finish expressing thanks → Deeply thankful.
例: 若能拨冗指导,不胜感激。 - 过意不去 (guò yì bù qù) — feel ill at ease (for causing trouble) → So sorry to trouble you.
例: 临时打扰,实在过意不去。
Congratulating & Well-Wishing
- 恭喜发财 (gōng xǐ fā cái) — Congrats and may you prosper (festive).
例: 新年快乐,恭喜发财! - 万事如意 (wàn shì rú yì) — may everything go as you wish → All the best.
例: 祝您新的一年万事如意。 - 心想事成 (xīn xiǎng shì chéng) — may your heart’s desires come true.
例: 生日快乐,心想事成! - 马到成功 (mǎ dào chéng gōng) — success upon arrival → Instant success (projects/exams).
例: 明天面试,祝你马到成功。 - 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng) — rising day by day → Ever-growing prosperity.
例: 祝贵公司事业蒸蒸日上。 - 百年好合 (bǎi nián hǎo hé) — a hundred years of harmony → Happy marriage.
例: 新婚快乐,百年好合。
Farewells & Safe-Travel Wishes
- 后会有期 (hòu huì yǒu qī) — there will be a time to meet again → See you again.
例: 这次多谢招待,后会有期。 - 一路顺风 (yí lù shùn fēng) / 一路平安 (yí lù píng ān) — Have a safe/pleasant trip.
例: 明天您出差,预祝一路顺风。 - 保重身体 (bǎo zhòng shēn tǐ) — Take care of your health.
例: 天气转凉,请保重身体。
Modesty & Deference (When Receiving Praise/Help)
- 受宠若惊 (shòu chǒng ruò jīng) — so favored I’m startled → Flattered.
例: 您的肯定让我受宠若惊。 - 才疏学浅 (cái shū xué qiǎn) — talent sparse, learning shallow → I’m not that capable (humble).
例: 我才疏学浅,还请指教。 - 不敢当 (bù gǎn dāng) — do not dare accept (the honor) → You flatter me.
例: 您过奖了,不敢当。
Placement & Tone Tips
- 多用于开场、结尾、贺词、致谢等位置,起到润滑关系、提升礼貌的作用。
- 在正式邮件/贺卡中可与“敬请指教、顺颂商祺(书信套语)”等搭配。
- 避免过度堆砌:一句恰当的成语比连串成语更自然。
Mini Dialogues (Model & Imitate)
-
初次见面
A: 王教授,久仰!幸会幸会。
B: 哪里,才疏学浅,多多指教。 -
表达感谢
A: 这次项目多亏您帮忙。
B: 不客气,我也学到很多。
A: 对您的支持感激不尽。 -
临别祝福
A: 明天就启程了。
B: 路上一路平安,后会有期!
Quick Practice
- 给导师写信结尾:请选择最合适的祝语(万事如意 / 马到成功 / 保重身体)→ 语境更稳妥:保重身体。
- 朋友要出差:一路顺风 / 受宠若惊 → 一路顺风。
- 被夸奖时的谦辞:不敢当 / 礼尚往来 → 不敢当。
Takeaway: Memorize a small, versatile set—久仰大名、礼尚往来、感激不尽、马到成功、一路平安、后会有期—and you’ll sound courteous, confident, and culturally attuned in greetings and farewells.