household management; wife
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 4 examplesnoun
household food and drink; domestic affairs (traditionally managed by the wife)
literaryRefers to the traditional role of women managing household affairs, particularly food preparation and domestic economy. Often used in the set phrase '主中馈' (to manage household affairs).
Tā她
zhǔ主
zhōng中
kuì馈
，
bǎ把
jiā家
lǐ里
dǎ打
lǐ理
de得
jǐng井
jǐng井
yǒu有
tiáo条
。
She manages the household affairs, keeping everything in perfect order.
Gǔ古
dài代
nǚ女
zǐ子
yǐ以
zhōng中
kuì馈
wéi为
zhí职
。
In ancient times, women regarded household management as their duty.
noun
wife (used metaphorically)
literaryUsed in classical Chinese to refer to one's wife, often in the set phrase '中馈犹虚' (still without a wife), indicating that one is still unmarried.
Tā他
nián年
yǐ已
sān三
shí十
，
wú无
nài奈
zhōng中
kuì馈
yóu犹
xū虚
。
He is already thirty years old, but unfortunately still without a wife.
Tā他
kě渴
wàng望
zhǎo找
dào到
yī一
wèi位
xián贤
nèi内
zhù助
lái来
zhǔ主
zhōng中
kuì馈
。
He longs to find a virtuous wife to manage the household.