门当户对
门当户对 (mén dāng hù duì) literally means “door match household align” and expresses “match between families of similar social status”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: men dang hu dui, men dang hu dui,门当户对 meaning, 门当户对 in english
Match between families of similar social status
Pronunciation: mén dāng hù duì Literal meaning: Door match household align
Origin & Usage
Tang Dynasty marriage arrangers first used this architectural metaphor of matching doors (门) and households (户) to describe suitable unions. Family genealogies document how door sizes literally reflected social status, making the metaphor particularly apt. Song Dynasty matchmakers developed it into a systematic principle for arranging marriages between social equals. Today it extends beyond marriage into business partnerships, suggesting that balanced relationships are built on similar social and economic foundations.
When to Use
Situation: Both families had similar social standing, making the marriage alliance advantageous
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 门当户对 mean in English?
门当户对 (mén dāng hù duì) literally translates to “Door match household align” and is used to express “Match between families of similar social status”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 门当户对 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving match between families of similar social status.
What is the pinyin for 门当户对?
The pinyin pronunciation for 门当户对 is “mén dāng hù duì”.