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投桃報李. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
投桃報李, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
投桃報李 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
投桃報李 you have here. The definition of the word
投桃報李 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
投桃報李, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Chinese
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to throw; to send
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peach
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surname; plum
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| trad. (投桃報李)
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投
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桃
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報
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李
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| simp. (投桃报李)
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投
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桃
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报
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李
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| Literally: “toss a peach, get back a plum”.
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Etymology
From the Classic of Poetry, poem 256 (《詩經·大雅·抑》):
投我以桃，報之以李。
投我以桃，报之以李。 - From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11th – 7th centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
- Tóu wǒ yǐ táo, bào zhī yǐ lǐ.
- When one throws to me a peach, I return to him a plum.
Pronunciation
Idiom
投桃報李
- to return a favor; to exchange gifts; you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.