legendary lovebird; metaphor for a loving couple
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 4 examplesnoun
legendary birds; mythological lovebirds
literaryFrom Chinese mythology. Describes a pair of birds that share a wing and cannot fly unless together. It is the origin of the metaphor.
Chuán传
shuō说
zhōng中
de的
bǐ比
yì翼
niǎo鸟
，
bǐ比
mù目
yú鱼
，
dōu都
shì是
chéng成
shuāng双
chéng成
duì对
。
In legend, the lovebird and the flatfish always come in pairs.
noun
metaphor for a deeply devoted, inseparable couple
literaryA very common poetic metaphor in classical literature, symbolizing marital harmony and inseparable love.
Zài在
tiān天
yuàn愿
zuò作
bǐ比
yì翼
niǎo鸟
，
zài在
dì地
yuàn愿
wéi为
lián连
lǐ理
zhī枝
。
In heaven we shall be as two lovebirds flying wing to wing; on earth we shall be as twin branches on a tree.
Tā他
men们
fū夫
qī妻
liǎ俩
qíng情
shēn深
yì意
dǔ笃
，
zhēn真
shì是
yī一
duì对
bǐ比
yì翼
niǎo鸟
。
That husband and wife are deeply in love, truly a pair of inseparable lovebirds.
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Zhè这
shǒu首
shī诗
yòng用
bǐ比
yì翼
niǎo鸟
lái来
gē歌
sòng颂
jiān坚
zhēn贞
de的
ài爱
qíng情
。
This poem uses the lovebird to celebrate steadfast love.