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-====== jìngjiǔ: 敬酒 - To Propose a Toast, To Toast ======
-===== Quick Summary =====
-  * **Keywords:** 敬酒, jingjiu, propose a toast in Chinese, Chinese toasting etiquette, Chinese drinking culture, toast someone in Chinese, Chinese business dinner, Chinese wedding toast, Chinese banquet etiquette, ganbei, baijiu
-  * **Summary:** **敬酒 (jìngjiǔ)** is the essential Chinese cultural practice of proposing a toast to show respect, build relationships, and celebrate. Far more than a simple "cheers," it is a structured social ritual fundamental to **Chinese drinking culture**, especially at a **business dinner**, wedding, or formal banquet. Understanding the etiquette of **敬酒**—who toasts whom, what to say, and how to hold your glass—is crucial for anyone looking to navigate social and professional situations in China successfully.
-===== Core Meaning =====
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jìngjiǔ
-  * **Part of Speech:** Verb
-  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5
-  * **Concise Definition:** To formally propose a toast to someone as a sign of respect.
-  * **In a Nutshell:** **敬酒 (jìngjiǔ)** is the act of "offering alcohol" to honor someone. It's a core component of social etiquette in China. Unlike a casual Western "cheers," **敬酒** is often a hierarchical and intentional act. A person of lower status (e.g., a junior employee, a host) will toast a person of higher status (e.g., a boss, a guest of honor) to express respect, gratitude, or a wish for good fortune. The gesture itself is as important as the drink.
-===== Character Breakdown =====
-  * **敬 (jìng):** This character means "to respect," "to honor," or "to offer politely." It conveys a sense of seriousness and reverence. Think of it as the politeness you'd show to an elder or a distinguished guest.
-  * **酒 (jiǔ):** This character simply means "alcohol," "wine," or "liquor." The 氵(water) radical on the left indicates it's a liquid, and the right part, 酉, is an ancient pictograph of a wine jar.
-  * Together, **敬酒 (jìngjiǔ)** literally translates to "to respectfully offer alcohol." This perfectly captures the meaning: it's not just about drinking, but about the respectful and honorific offering of a drink.
-===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
-  * **The Ritual of Relationship Building:** In China, many important relationships ([[关系]], guānxi) are built not in the boardroom, but around the dinner table. **敬酒** is the primary vehicle for this. It's how you show respect, break the ice, and demonstrate sincerity. A successful banquet filled with respectful toasting can solidify a business deal more effectively than a formal presentation.
-  * **Comparison to a Western "Toast":** While both involve raising a glass, the cultural weight is different.
-    * **Western Toast:** Often a single, collective event. Someone gets everyone's attention, says a few words for the whole group (e.g., "To the happy couple!"), everyone clinks glasses or raises them, and drinks. It's generally egalitarian.
-    * **Chinese 敬酒:** A series of individual or small-group interactions. It follows a strict hierarchy. The host toasts the guest of honor, then juniors toast seniors. It is often done one-on-one, with the toaster approaching the toastee's seat. It's a continuous, flowing part of the meal, not a single event.
-  * **Related Cultural Values:**
-    * **Hierarchy and Respect (尊敬, zūnjìng):** The order of toasting reinforces the social structure. Toasting a superior first is a non-negotiable sign of respect.
-    * **Face (面子, miànzi):** Proposing a toast gives "face" to the person being honored. Accepting the toast graciously also gives "face" to the proposer. Refusing a toast can cause a major loss of face for both parties and is considered very rude.
-    * **Hospitality and Harmony (热情, rèqíng):** For a host, continuously toasting guests is a way of showing warmth and ensuring everyone feels included and honored, contributing to a harmonious atmosphere.
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
-**敬酒** is a living tradition, essential in many formal and semi-formal settings.
-  * **Business Dinners (商务宴请, shāngwù yànqǐng):** This is where **敬酒** is most critical and strategic.
-    * The host (or person of lower rank) will always initiate the toasts.
-    * You typically toast the most important person at the table first.
-    * When toasting a client or superior, you should stand up, hold your glass with two hands (one hand holding the glass, the other supporting the bottom), and say a few words of gratitude or a wish for successful cooperation.
-    * When you clink glasses, your rim should be lower than the other person's to show humility.
-  * **Weddings and Family Banquets (婚宴, hūnyàn):**
-    * The newlywed couple, often accompanied by their parents, will go from table to table to **敬酒** every single guest. This is their way of thanking the guests for attending. Guests are expected to stand up when the couple arrives at their table.
-  * **Key Phrases to Use When Toasting:**
-    * To a boss/client: “王总，我**敬**您一杯，感谢您一直以来的支持。” (Wáng zǒng, wǒ **jìng** nín yī bēi, gǎnxiè nín yīzhí yǐlái de zhīchí.) - "Director Wang, I'd like to toast you, thank you for your constant support."
-    * To a friend/for health: “来，我们喝一杯，祝大家身体健康！” (Lái, wǒmen hē yī bēi, zhù dàjiā shēntǐ jiànkāng!) - "Come, let's have a drink, wishing everyone good health!"
-    * A simple, all-purpose toast: “我**敬**您一杯！” (Wǒ **jìng** nín yī bēi!) - "I toast you!"
-===== Example Sentences =====
-  * **Example 1:**
-    * 在中国的商务晚宴上，向下属**敬酒**是不常见的，通常是下属向上级**敬酒**。
-    * Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó de shāngwù wǎnyàn shàng, xiàng xiàshǔ **jìngjiǔ** shì bù chángjiàn de, tōngcháng shì xiàshǔ xiàng shàngjí **jìngjiǔ**.
-    * English: At business dinners in China, it's uncommon for a superior to toast a subordinate; it's usually the subordinate who toasts the superior.
-    * Analysis: This sentence clearly explains the hierarchical nature of **敬酒** in a professional context.
-  * **Example 2:**
-    * 新郎新娘需要给每一桌的客人**敬酒**，以表示感谢。
-    * Pinyin: Xīnláng xīnniáng xūyào gěi měi yī zhuō de kèrén **jìngjiǔ**, yǐ biǎoshì gǎnxiè.
-    * English: The bride and groom need to go to every table to toast the guests to express their gratitude.
-    * Analysis: This illustrates the most common use of **敬酒** at a Chinese wedding.
-  * **Example 3:**
-    * 李经理站起来说：“我先**敬**大家一杯，欢迎各位的到来！”
-    * Pinyin: Lǐ jīnglǐ zhàn qǐlái shuō: “Wǒ xiān **jìng** dàjiā yī bēi, huānyíng gèwèi de dàolái!”
-    * English: Manager Li stood up and said: "Let me first toast everyone and welcome you all!"
-    * Analysis: Here, **敬 (jìng)** is used as the verb within the toast. This is a typical opening toast by a host at a banquet.
-  * **Example 4:**
-    * 他因为要开车，所以用茶代替酒向老板**敬酒**。
-    * Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi yào kāichē, suǒyǐ yòng chá dàitì jiǔ xiàng lǎobǎn **jìngjiǔ**.
-    * English: Because he had to drive, he used tea instead of alcohol to toast his boss.
-    * Analysis: This shows a common and acceptable way to participate in the ritual without drinking alcohol. The act of **敬酒** is what matters most.
-  * **Example 5:**
-    * 晚宴开始了，大家开始互相**敬酒**，气氛非常热闹。
-    * Pinyin: Wǎnyàn kāishǐ le, dàjiā kāishǐ hùxiāng **jìngjiǔ**, qìfēn fēicháng rènào.
-    * English: The banquet began, and everyone started toasting each other; the atmosphere was very lively.
-    * Analysis: The term 互相 (hùxiāng) means "mutually" or "each other," showing that toasting is a reciprocal and interactive process.
-  * **Example 6:**
-    * 小王，你应该去给客户**敬**一杯酒，这是礼貌。
-    * Pinyin: Xiǎo Wáng, nǐ yīnggāi qù gěi kèhù **jìng** yī bēi jiǔ, zhè shì lǐmào.
-    * English: Xiao Wang, you should go toast the client. It's a matter of courtesy.
-    * Analysis: This highlights that **敬酒** isn't just optional fun; it's an expected part of social and professional etiquette (礼貌, lǐmào).
-  * **Example 7:**
-    * 收到别人给你**敬酒**时，你应该站起来表示尊重。
-    * Pinyin: Shōudào biérén gěi nǐ **jìngjiǔ** shí, nǐ yīnggāi zhàn qǐlái biǎoshì zūnzhòng.
-    * English: When someone proposes a toast to you, you should stand up to show respect.
-    * Analysis: This provides a key piece of practical advice on the etiquette of receiving a toast.
-  * **Example 8:**
-    * 我不太会喝酒，但还是向他**敬酒**以示诚意。
-    * Pinyin: Wǒ bù tài huì hējiǔ, dàn háishì xiàng tā **jìngjiǔ** yǐ shì chéngyì.
-    * English: I'm not much of a drinker, but I still toasted him to show my sincerity.
-    * Analysis: This sentence emphasizes that the purpose of **敬酒** is often to show sincerity (诚意, chéngyì), regardless of one's capacity for alcohol.
-  * **Example 9:**
-    * 为了庆祝合作成功，我们互相**敬酒**，大家都喝得很开心。
-    * Pinyin: Wèile qìngzhù hézuò chénggōng, wǒmen hùxiāng **jìngjiǔ**, dàjiā dōu hē de hěn kāixīn.
-    * English: To celebrate the successful cooperation, we toasted each other and everyone drank happily.
-    * Analysis: This connects the act of **敬酒** to a specific positive outcome—celebrating a success.
-  * **Example 10:**
-    * 他轮流向桌上的长辈们**敬酒**。
-    * Pinyin: Tā lúnliú xiàng zhuō shàng de zhǎngbèimen **jìngjiǔ**.
-    * English: He took turns toasting the elders at the table.
-    * Analysis: The word 轮流 (lúnliú) means "to take turns," perfectly describing the process of systematically toasting multiple people in order of seniority.
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
-  * **敬酒 (jìngjiǔ) vs. 干杯 (gānbēi):** This is the most common point of confusion.
-    * **敬酒** is the entire formal process: standing up, approaching someone, saying respectful words, and offering the drink. It's the **action** of proposing a toast.
-    * [[干杯]] (gānbēi) is the **exclamation** used at the moment of drinking, meaning "Cheers!" or more literally, "Dry the glass!" You can **敬酒** and then conclude by saying **干杯**. Not every toast requires a **干杯** (you can just sip), but **干杯** is almost always preceded by a form of **敬酒**.
-  * **Refusing a Toast:** Directly refusing a toast is a major social blunder and can cause the proposer to lose [[面子]] (miànzi).
-    * **Incorrect:** "不，我不想喝。" (Bù, wǒ bùxiǎng hē.) - "No, I don't want to drink." (This is extremely rude).
-    * **Correct:** If you cannot drink, immediately explain why with a polite reason (e.g., "不好意思，我等下要开车" - "Sorry, I have to drive later," or "我对酒精过敏" - "I'm allergic to alcohol"). Then, raise a glass of tea, water, or juice and say, "我用茶代酒敬您一杯!" (Wǒ yòng chá dài jiǔ jìng nín yī bēi!) - "I'll use tea in place of alcohol to toast you!" The ritual is more important than the liquid.
-  * **Forgetting the "Lower Glass" Rule:** When clinking glasses with a superior, elder, or guest of honor, always ensure the rim of your glass is noticeably lower than theirs. This is a non-verbal gesture of humility and respect. Forgetting this can be seen as arrogant.
-===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
-  * [[干杯]] (gānbēi) - "Dry the glass"; the common exclamation for "Cheers!", often implying you should finish your drink.
-  * [[劝酒]] (quànjiǔ) - To urge or pressure someone to drink more alcohol. Can be friendly but can also become aggressive.
-  * [[回敬]] (huíjìng) - To return a toast. After a superior toasts you, it is polite to later approach them and **回敬** them.
-  * [[酒桌文化]] (jiǔzhuō wénhuà) - The overarching "drinking table culture" which includes all the rules and rituals of banquets, with **敬酒** as its centerpiece.
-  * [[面子]] (miànzi) - "Face"; social prestige and honor. The entire ritual of toasting is deeply intertwined with giving and receiving face.
-  * [[关系]] (guānxi) - Social networks and connections. **敬酒** is a primary method for building and maintaining good **关系**.
-  * [[白酒]] (báijiǔ) - The strong, clear grain liquor that is the traditional choice for formal toasting in China.
-  * [[罚酒]] (fájiǔ) - "Penalty drink"; a drink someone is required to have as a "punishment" for being late or losing a drinking game.
-  * [[吉祥话]] (jíxiánghuà) - Auspicious or propitious words; the short, positive phrases you say when proposing a toast (e.g., wishing health, success, or happiness).