鹊桥 (què qiáo) — the Magpie Bridge (in Chinese mythology); (by extension) a romantic connection or matchmaking opportunity

Definition

In Chinese mythology, the bridge of magpies that once a year lets the Cowherd and Weaver Girl meet across the Milky Way — now also used figuratively for any romantic match or reunion.

noun
the Magpie Bridge (in Chinese mythology)(by extension) a romantic connection or matchmaking opportunity
Measure word · 座

Examples

  • ，鹊桥。
    Měi nián qī xī, niú láng zhī nǚ dōu huì zài què qiáo shàng xiāng huì.
    Every Qixi Festival, the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl meet on the Magpie Bridge.
  • 鹊桥，。
    Zhè chǎng xiāng qīn huó dòng jiù xiàng yí zuò què qiáo, bāng hěn duō rén zhǎo dào le yuán fèn.
    This matchmaking event is like a Magpie Bridge, helping many people find their destined partner.
  • 鹊桥，。
    Chuán shuō xǐ què dā chéng què qiáo, ràng niú láng zhī nǚ dé yǐ tuán jù.
    Legend says magpies form the Magpie Bridge, allowing the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl to reunite.

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.

鹊quèmagpie
桥qiáobridge

鹊 names magpies, and 桥 names the bridge they form.

Characters in this word

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 鹊 →

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 橋; 桥 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
木木mùwood
Sound part声符shēngfú
喬
喬qiáo橋qiáo
Same sound today

The traditional form 橋 pairs 木 (wood) with 喬 (qiáo), which gave the character its sound; the simplified 桥 is a later abbreviation.

Open 桥 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.