lintel over a door; family status; social standing
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesnoun
lintel; the horizontal beam above a doorframe
formalRefers to the architectural element. Often used in formal or descriptive contexts.
Lǎo老
zhái宅
de的
mén门
méi楣
shàng上
diāo雕
kè刻
zhe着
jīng精
měi美
de的
huā花
wén纹
。
The lintel of the old house is carved with exquisite patterns.
Tā他
shēn伸
shǒu手
jiù就
néng能
chù触
dào到
dī低
ǎi矮
de的
mén门
méi楣
。
He could reach the low lintel just by stretching his hand.
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Zhè这
zuò座
cí祠
táng堂
de的
mén门
méi楣
shì是
yòng用
shàng上
hǎo好
de的
mù木
cái材
zuò做
de的
。
The lintel of this ancestral hall is made of fine wood.
noun
family status; social standing; pedigree
literaryA metaphorical extension, often used in the context of family honor, reputation, and social class. Common in literary and formal language.
Tā他
kǎo考
zhòng中
zhuàng状
yuán元
，
guāng光
yào耀
mén门
méi楣
。
He passed the imperial examination as the top scholar, bringing honor to his family.
Tā他
men们
jiā家
zú族
mén门
méi楣
xiǎn显
hè赫
，
chū出
le了
bù不
shǎo少
gāo高
guān官
。
Their family has a prestigious status, having produced many high-ranking officials.
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Zhè这
zhǒng种
xíng行
wéi为
jiǎn简
zhí直
shì是
zài在
bài败
huài坏
jiā家
zú族
de的
mén门
méi楣
。
This behavior is simply tarnishing the family's reputation.
shū书
xiāng香
mén门
méi楣
a family of scholars (lit. a lintel fragrant with books)