dressing case; dowry
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 4 examplesnoun
dressing case; toilet box; mirror case used by women for grooming
Originally refers to the small box or chest containing mirrors, combs, and cosmetics. Often made of fine wood in ancient times.
Gǔ古
dài代
nǚ女
zǐ子
de的
zhuāng妆
lián奁
lǐ里
fàng放
zhe着
tóng铜
jìng镜
hé和
shū梳
zi子
。
Ancient women kept bronze mirrors and combs in their dressing cases.
Zhè这
ge个
hóng红
mù木
zhuāng妆
lián奁
shì是
tā她
zǔ祖
mǔ母
chuán传
xià下
lái来
de的
。
This rosewood dressing case was handed down from her grandmother.
noun
dowry; trousseau
literaryA metaphorical extension of the first sense. By metonymy, the container (dressing case) represents the contents (the bride's personal belongings and dowry).
Niáng娘
jiā家
wèi为
tā她
zhǔn准
bèi备
le了
fēng丰
hòu厚
de的
zhuāng妆
lián奁
。
Her parents prepared a generous dowry for her.
Zài在
gǔ古
dài代
，
zhuāng妆
lián奁
de的
duō多
shǎo少
wǎng往
wǎng往
dài代
biǎo表
zhe着
nǚ女
fāng方
de的
jiā家
shì世
。
In ancient times, the size of the dowry often represented the bride's family status.