礼尚往来

lǐ shàng wǎng lái

courtesy calls for reciprocity

Character by character

礼lǐ
courtesy

尚shàng
values

往wǎng
going

来lái
coming

他上次请了我，这次该我请他，礼尚往来嘛。

He treated me last time, so this time it is my turn. One good turn deserves another.

Tone: positive (praise).

From the 《礼记》.

Learn this in Lesson 30 · HSK 5–6: 面子、关系与人情 (Face, connections and favours)

A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.