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白马王子 (bái mǎ wáng zǐ) — Prince Charming; ideal romantic partner (often used humorously)

Definition

A cultural image from Western fairy tales: the perfect, idealized man a woman dreams of meeting. Often used humorously or self-ironically when talking about romantic expectations.

noun
Prince Charmingideal romantic partner (often used humorously)

Examples

  • 白马王子。
    Tā yì zhí zài děng tā de bái mǎ wáng zǐ chū xiàn.
    She has been waiting for her Prince Charming to appear.
  • 白马王子，。
    Bié bǎ měi gè nán shēng dōu dàng chéng bái mǎ wáng zǐ, xiàn shí yì diǎn.
    Don't treat every guy as a Prince Charming; be realistic.
  • 白马王子。
    Tóng huà lǐ de bái mǎ wáng zǐ zǒng shì nà me wán měi.
    The Prince Charming in fairy tales is always so perfect.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

白马white horse
白báiwhite马mǎhorse
偏正Modifier + head
王子prince
王wángking子zǐson
偏正Modifier + head

白马王子 is a 王子 prince with a 白马 white horse.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

白 is thought to picture either an acorn or a human head.

Open 白 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 馬; 马 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 馬 shows a horse with its head facing left, a flowing mane, and two legs standing vertically.

Open 马 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 王 comes from a picture of a ritual axe, an object kept near a throne and connected with royal power.

Open 王 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Open 子 →
Appears in
Idioms & Set PhrasesRomance & Marriage

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