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.
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
Both halves are literal architectural features. 门当 are the drum-shaped stones set in pairs at the base of a gateway; 户对 are the short carved pegs projecting above the lintel. Their number and form were regulated by rank, so a family's standing could be read off its doorway from the street. A match in which the gateposts corresponded was a match between equals. The phrase is still the standard vocabulary of Chinese discussion about marriage across a social gap.
Examples
English: "Both families had similar social standing, making the marriage alliance advantageous"
Chinese: 两家社会地位相当，使这门婚姻联盟有利
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
青梅竹马
qīng méi zhú mǎ
Childhood sweethearts or friends
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形影不离
xíng yǐng bù lí
Inseparable; always together
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相濡以沫
xiāng rú yǐ mò
Help each other in adversity
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相敬如宾
xiāng jìng rú bīn
Treat each other with respect
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举案齐眉
jǔ àn qí méi
Married couple with great mutual respect
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白头偕老
bái tóu xié lǎo
Grow old together; lifelong partnership
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对牛弹琴
duì niú tán qín
Present to wrong audience
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针锋相对
zhēn fēng xiāng duì
Sharp, direct confrontation in argument
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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: Both families had similar social standing, making the marriage alliance advantageous
What is the pinyin for 门当户对?
The pinyin pronunciation for 门当户对 is “mén dāng hù duì”.