Definition
拉纤 is a separable verb (离合词) with two main senses: literally 'to tow a boat' by pulling a towline, and metaphorically 'to act as a go-between or matchmaker', especially in arranging marriages or business introductions. When used literally, the components can separate — you can say 他拉了一次纤 (he towed a boat once) — but the metaphorical sense usually stays as a fixed unit. In both uses, the core image is 'pulling a line' to connect two sides: a boat to shore, or two people.
v.o.
to tow (a boat)to act as a go-between (for marriage or business)
Examples
- 拉纤。Chuánfūmen zhèngzài hé biān lā.The boatmen are towing by the river.
- 。Tā bāng chuán zhǔ lā le yí cì qiàn.He helped the boat owner tow once.
- ，拉纤。Zài gǔdài, méirén jīngcháng wèi nán nǚ shuāngfāng lā.In ancient times, matchmakers often acted as go-betweens for men and women.
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