红娘 (hóng niáng) — matchmaker (especially in modern dating contexts)

Definition

Literally the maid Hongniang from the classic play 《西厢记》, now used as a vivid word for 'matchmaker' — anyone who helps people find a romantic partner.

noun
matchmaker (especially in modern dating contexts)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 红娘，。
    Tā shì wǒ men gōng sī de hóng niáng, bāng hěn duō tóng shì zhǎo dào le duì xiàng.
    She is the matchmaker in our company, helping many colleagues find partners.
  • 红娘，。
    Zhè ge hūn liàn wǎng zhàn jiù xiàng yí wèi xiàn dài hóng niáng, wèi dān shēn nán nǚ qiān xiàn dā qiáo.
    This dating website is like a modern matchmaker, connecting single men and women.
  • 《》红娘鬟。
    《Xī xiāng jì》 lǐ de hóng niáng shì gè cōng ming yòu rè xīn de yā huan.
    The Hongniang in 'The Western Chamber' is a clever and warm-hearted maid.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 紅; 红 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìsilk
Sound part声符shēngfú
工
工gōng紅hóng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 紅 puts 糸 (silk) next to 工, which gives the sound; the simplified 红 is a later shorthand.

Open 红 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
女女nǚ
Sound part声符shēngfú
良
良liáng娘niáng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

娘 is built from 女 (woman) and 良, which supplies the sound.

Open 娘 →

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