formally married with a matchmaker and proper rites
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to be formally and properly married (according to traditional customs)
archaicHistorically, this term emphasized a marriage conducted with a matchmaker and complete traditional ceremonies, conferring legitimacy and social recognition. It is now primarily used to contrast with informal unions or to stress the formality of a past marriage.
Tā她
shì是
míng明
méi媒
zhèng正
qǔ娶
de的
fū夫
rén人
，
zài在
jiā家
tíng庭
zhōng中
dì地
wèi位
zūn尊
guì贵
。
She was formally married as the principal wife, holding a dignified position in the household.
Zài在
nà那
ge个
nián年
dài代
，
hūn婚
yīn姻
bì必
xū须
míng明
méi媒
zhèng正
qǔ娶
cái才
suàn算
tǐ体
miàn面
。
In those days, a marriage had to be arranged by a matchmaker and conducted with proper rites to be considered respectable.
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Tā他
suī虽
rán然
nà纳
le了
qiè妾
，
dàn但
zhèng正
shì室
shì是
míng明
méi媒
zhèng正
qǔ娶
de的
。
Although he took a concubine, his principal wife was formally and properly married.