couplet; paired poetic phrases
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesnoun
antithetical couplet; paired poetic lines
A traditional Chinese art form, consisting of two lines of verse that correspond in meaning, tone, and structure. Commonly used during festivals, especially Chinese New Year, and displayed vertically on doorframes or pillars.
Chūn春
jié节
shí时
，
jiā家
jiā家
hù户
hù户
dōu都
huì会
zài在
mén门
shàng上
tiē贴
duì对
lián联
。
During Chinese New Year, every household pastes couplets on their doors.
Zhè这
fù副
duì对
lián联
duì对
zhàng仗
gōng工
zhěng整
，
yù寓
yì意
shēn深
kè刻
。
This couplet shows perfect antithetical structure and profound meaning.
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Tā他
zài在
mù木
zhù柱
shàng上
kè刻
le了
yī一
fù副
duì对
lián联
。
He carved a couplet on the wooden pillar.
Zhè这
ge个
chá茶
guǎn馆
de的
mén门
kǒu口
guà挂
zhe着
yī一
fù副
hěn很
yǒu有
gǔ古
fēng风
de的
duì对
lián联
。
A couplet with a very classical style is hung at the entrance of this teahouse.
Xiě写
duì对
lián联
shì是
Zhōng中
guó国
shū书
fǎ法
de的
zhòng重
yào要
yìng应
yòng用
zhī之
yī一
。
Writing couplets is one of the important applications of Chinese calligraphy.