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 namePleased to finally meet you (very polite).
    : 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 meetA warm, respectful “nice to meet you.”
    : 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 listenI’m all ears (deferential).
    : 您请说,我洗耳恭听

Courtesy & Reciprocity

  • 礼尚往来 (lǐ shàng wǎng lái)courtesy values reciprocityCourtesy should be returned.
    : 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 careThank you for looking after me/us (polite formula).
    : 初来乍到,承蒙关照
  • 客随主便 (kè suí zhǔ biàn)guests follow the host’s convenienceI’ll go with your arrangement.
    : 用餐时间您定,客随主便

Thanks & Apologies (High Register)

  • 感激不尽 (gǎn jī bù jìn)gratitude without endMost grateful.
    : 对您的帮助感激不尽
  • 不胜感激 (bù shèng gǎn jī)cannot finish expressing thanksDeeply thankful.
    : 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.
    : 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).
    : 新年快乐,恭喜发财
  • 万事如意 (wàn shì rú yì)may everything go as you wishAll the best.
    : 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.
    : 生日快乐,心想事成
  • 马到成功 (mǎ dào chéng gōng)success upon arrivalInstant success (projects/exams).
    : 明天面试,祝你马到成功
  • 蒸蒸日上 (zhēng zhēng rì shàng)rising day by dayEver-growing prosperity.
    : 祝贵公司事业蒸蒸日上
  • 百年好合 (bǎi nián hǎo hé)a hundred years of harmonyHappy marriage.
    : 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 againSee you again.
    : 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.
    : 明天您出差,预祝一路顺风
  • 保重身体 (bǎo zhòng shēn tǐ)Take care of your health.
    : 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 startledFlattered.
    : 您的肯定让我受宠若惊
  • 才疏学浅 (cái shū xué qiǎn)talent sparse, learning shallowI’m not that capable (humble).
    : 我才疏学浅,还请指教。
  • 不敢当 (bù gǎn dāng)do not dare accept (the honor)You flatter me.
    : 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

  1. 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
  2. 朋友要出差:一路顺风 / 受宠若惊一路顺风
  3. 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.

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Chengyu Idioms

Written by : Chengyu Idioms

A lifelong scholar and enthusiast of Chinese culture and language.

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