unbetrothed; waiting to be betrothed
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
unbetrothed; waiting to be betrothed
archaicThis term is classical/literary and specifically refers to a woman of marriageable age who is not yet engaged or promised in marriage. It is now obsolete in modern spoken language but may appear in historical or literary contexts.
Tā她
nián年
yǐ已
jí及
jī笄
，
shàng尚
dài待
zì字
guī闺
zhōng中
。
She has reached the age of fifteen, yet remains unbetrothed at home.
Gǔ古
dài代
xǔ许
duō多
nǚ女
zǐ子
dài待
zì字
guī闺
zhōng中
，
děng等
dài待
fù父
mǔ母
zhī之
mìng命
、
méi媒
shuò妁
zhī之
yán言
。
In ancient times, many young women remained unbetrothed at home, awaiting their parents' arrangements and a matchmaker's words.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
“
dài待
zì字
”
zhè这
yī一
shuō说
fǎ法
，
rú如
jīn今
zhǐ只
chū出
xiàn现
zài在
wén文
xué学
zuò作
pǐn品
lǐ里
。
The phrase '待字' now only appears in literary works.