举案齐眉
举案齐眉 (jǔ àn qí méi) literally means “raise tray level with eyebrows” and expresses “married couple with great mutual respect”. 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: ju an qi mei, ju an qi mei,举案齐眉 meaning, 举案齐眉 in english
Married couple with great mutual respect
Pronunciation: jǔ àn qí méi
Literal meaning: Raise tray level with eyebrows
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes raising (举) a food tray (案) level (齐) with one's eyebrows (眉). It comes from the story of Meng Guang who showed deep respect for her husband Liang Hong by always raising his food tray to eye level when serving him. Modern usage describes marriages characterized by deep mutual respect and devotion, where partners honor each other.
Examples
English: "Their relationship exemplifies mutual respect and devotion."
Chinese: 他们的关系是举案齐眉的典范。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 举案齐眉 mean in English?
举案齐眉 (jǔ àn qí méi) literally translates to “Raise tray level with eyebrows” and is used to express “Married couple with great mutual respect”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 举案齐眉 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving married couple with great mutual respect.
What is the pinyin for 举案齐眉?
The pinyin pronunciation for 举案齐眉 is “jǔ àn qí méi”.