According to Chinese custom, after engagement, a man or his family usually offers the woman's parents a moderate amount of money or gifts as a tribute (or caili) for bringing up their daughter.

But this tradition has changed and caili has become more like a commercial transaction, as some would-be brides' parents ask for exorbitant amounts of money and precious gifts as caili.

生词短语：

custom

风俗; 习俗

moderate

适度的;合理的

tribute

彩礼

would-be bride

准新娘

exorbitant

过高的; 高得离谱的