和闺蜜吃饭、送伴手礼的一天

What does “伴手礼” (bànshǒulǐ) mean in Chinese?

伴手礼 (bànshǒulǐ) is the gift you bring when you visit someone’s home or return from a trip — a token that says you were thinking of them. Literally, 伴 (bàn) means “to accompany,” 手 (shǒu) is “hand,” and 礼 (lǐ) is “gift.” The word is especially common in Taiwan, where entire shops are devoted to curated 伴手礼 for travellers. On the mainland, the concept exists but the term is most strongly associated with Taiwanese gift culture.

The clip’s narrator spent a long time at a department store choosing what to bring her friend — finally settling on snacks and treats: 我在大同华选了好久，买点什么当作伴手礼呢 (“I spent ages at Datonghua trying to decide what to bring as 伴手礼”). She notes the haul looks like gifts for Chinese New Year relatives. The in-clip definition: 出门旅行、拜访别人时带的小礼物或小特产，用来送人表示心意 (“a small gift or local specialty brought when travelling or visiting, to express your thoughtfulness”). Also in the clip: 垫垫肚子 (diàn diàn dùzi, “have a light snack to hold you over”) — another vivid colloquial food phrase at B1.