Chinese Idiom Stories: 宜室宜家 (yí shì yí jiā)

Table of Contents

Idiom: 宜室宜家 (yí shì yí jiā)

Literal Meaning: Suitable for Home and Family
Explanation: 宜室宜家 (yí shì yí jiā) describes a person who is well-suited for both home life and family responsibilities. It implies that someone is suitable for marriage and managing a household, emphasizing harmony in both personal and domestic life.

Chinese Idiom Stories

In ancient times, there was a young woman named Mei who was known for her kindness and wisdom. She had a talent for cooking delicious meals and keeping her home tidy. Many young men in her village admired her and wished to marry her. They believed that Mei would make an excellent wife and mother, as she embodied the qualities of 宜室宜家.

One day, a humble scholar named Li came to the village. He was captivated by Mei’s warmth and generosity. Unlike the others who were only interested in her beauty, Li appreciated her character. He often visited her home, bringing books to share and learning about her life.

As their friendship blossomed, Mei saw Li’s dedication to his studies and his respectful nature. She felt that he, too, would be a good partner for building a family. Eventually, Li expressed his feelings, and Mei agreed to be his wife.

Their union became a symbol of 宜室宜家, as they supported each other’s dreams and built a harmonious home together. The villagers often admired their relationship, and many aspired to create a similar bond.

Idiom Example Sentences

她是個宜室宜家的好女人。
- Tā shì gè yí shì yí jiā de hǎo nǚrén.
- She is a good woman, suitable for home and family.
找到一個宜室宜家的伴侶是很重要的。
- Zhǎodào yī gè yí shì yí jiā de bànlǚ shì hěn zhòngyào de.
- Finding a partner who is suitable for home and family is very important.

Practice Exercise

簡答題: 你認為「宜室宜家」的理想伴侶應該具備什麼特質？
Nǐ rènwéi “yí shì yí jiā” de lǐxiǎng bànlǚ yīnggāi jùbèi shénme tèzhì?
What qualities do you think an ideal partner for “suitable for home and family” should have?
Answer: Patience, kindness, and the ability to manage a household well.