44 Chinese etiquette

Etiquette, li, comes from the fear and respect of the nature in China. We find all the forms of li from heaven, earth and nature. Li represents the authority of emperors who was given by heaven. Li also represents hierarchy. In social life, li means that people get along with each other harmoniously and respect the elderly. Li comes from the heart of people, showing respect to heaven, the earth and people is important.

中国人对礼的认知首先来自于对大自然的敬畏。天、地、自然万物，从中我们发现了秩序，也找到了礼的格式。礼在官方，体现了皇权天授的威严。礼也体现了等级。礼在民间，人们和谐相处，长幼有序。发自内心的礼，在规矩之上，是中国人对天、地、人的敬重。

1. etiquette

/'etɪket/          /'ɛtɪkɛt/

n. 礼节，礼仪；规矩

2. authority

/ɔː'θɒrɪtɪ/          /ə'θɔrəti/

n. 权力, 职权

3. hierarchy

/'haɪərɑːkɪ/           /'haɪərɑrki/

n. 等级制度

4. harmoniously

/h ɑ:ˈməʊnjəslɪ/

/hɑr'monɪəsli/

adv. 和谐地;调和地

5. elderly

/'eldəlɪ/        /'ɛldɚli/

adj. 上了年纪的, 中年以上的