Definition
待字闺中 is a four-character idiom (chengyu) that literally means 'awaiting a courtesy name in the women's chambers'. In traditional Chinese culture, a woman received her courtesy name (字) upon marriage, so this idiom refers to a young woman who is not yet betrothed or married. It's a polite, somewhat literary way to say 'still unmarried' (of a girl), often used in formal or classical contexts.
f.e.
(of a young woman) not yet betrothedstill unmarried
Examples
- ，待字闺中。Tā jīnnián èrshíwǔ suì, réngrán dāi.She is twenty-five this year and still unmarried.
- 待字闺中，。Gǔdài nǚzǐ dāi shí, hěn shǎo chūmén.In ancient times, unmarried girls rarely went out.
- 待字闺中，。Tā suī yǐ dāi, dàn yǐ yǒu xīnshàngrén.Although she is not yet betrothed, she already has someone in her heart.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.