媳 (xí) - Daughter-in-law — specifically refers to a son's wife

媳Tone 2

xí ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

媳 · xí

Daughter-in-law — specifically refers to a son's wife in a family.

Daughter-in-law — specifically refers to a son's wife

Usage highlights

DaughterMotherSon and daughterEldest daughterYoungest daughter

Synonyms

  • 儿媳妇— son's wife (more explicit)
  • 媳妇儿— daughter-in-law (with diminutive suffix, common in northern dialects)

Antonyms

  • 婆婆— mother-in-law (husband's mother)
  • 女婿— son-in-law

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She is my daughter-in-law (我的媳妇).
  • The daughter-in-law takes care of her elderly in-laws (媳妇照顾公婆).
  • They are looking for a suitable daughter-in-law (找合适的媳妇).
  • The relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law (婆媳关系).

Collocations

  • Daughter-in-law(媳妇)
  • Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law(婆媳)
  • Son and daughter-in-law(儿子媳妇)
  • Eldest daughter-in-law(大媳妇)
  • Youngest daughter-in-law(小媳妇)
  • Daughter-in-law's family(媳妇家)

Idioms

  • Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship(婆媳关系)
  • Like a daughter-in-law serving her in-laws(如媳妇侍奉公婆)
  • The daughter-in-law becomes a mother-in-law(媳妇熬成婆)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese family structure, the daughter-in-law holds a specific position, often expected to care for her husband's parents.
  • The term reflects the patrilocal tradition where married women join their husband's household.
  • Modern usage sometimes extends to refer to wives in general, particularly in northern Chinese dialects.

FAQ