牵羊担酒
牵羊担酒 (qiān yáng dān jiǔ) literally means “lead a sheep and carry wine” and expresses “bring gifts to celebrate or give thanks”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character.
Also searched as: qian yang dan jiu, qian yang dan jiu,牵羊担酒 meaning, 牵羊担酒 in english
Bring gifts to celebrate or give thanks
Pronunciation: qiān yáng dān jiǔ Literal meaning: Lead a sheep and carry wine
Origin & Usage
In traditional China a sheep and a jar of wine were the classic gifts for a celebration, a wedding or a visit of thanks, and this idiom names the gesture directly. Its best-known early appearance is in the Yuan-dynasty play Meng Deyao Raises the Tray to Her Brow (《孟德耀举案齐眉》, act four), where an old father announces: 'I will now lead a sheep and carry wine to congratulate my child' (老夫如今牵羊担酒，与孩儿庆喜). The phrase also appears in Romance of the Three Kingdoms (chapter 44). Note that 担 is read dān here, meaning to carry on a shoulder pole. Because 羊 was itself a pun on 祥 (good fortune), bringing a sheep to a celebration doubled as a wish for luck — which makes this a natural Goat-year phrase for congratulations.
Examples
English: "When their daughter passed the exam, the grandparents arrived bearing gifts as if leading a sheep and carrying wine."
Chinese: 听说儿子考中了，老两口牵羊担酒，登门道谢。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
顺手牵羊
shùn shǒu qiān yáng
Exploit small opportunities
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羊质虎皮
yáng zhì hǔ pí
Imposing outside, timid within
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挂羊头卖狗肉
guà yáng tóu mài gǒu ròu
Advertise one thing and deliver another
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苏武牧羊
sū wǔ mù yáng
Unbending loyalty through long hardship
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瘦羊博士
shòu yáng bó shì
A modest person who yields to others
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羊续悬鱼
yáng xù xuán yú
An incorruptible official who refuses gifts
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羚羊挂角
líng yáng guà jiǎo
Artistry that leaves no trace
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歧路亡羊
qí lù wáng yáng
Too many choices lead nowhere
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 牵羊担酒 mean in English?
牵羊担酒 (qiān yáng dān jiǔ) literally translates to “Lead a sheep and carry wine” and is used to express “Bring gifts to celebrate or give thanks”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 牵羊担酒 used?
Situation: When their daughter passed the exam, the grandparents arrived bearing gifts as if leading a sheep and carrying wine.
What is the pinyin for 牵羊担酒?
The pinyin pronunciation for 牵羊担酒 is “qiān yáng dān jiǔ”.
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