Chinese Conversation · Level 34
90 words
Chinese word
求婚
Pronunciation
Pinyinqiú hūn
Meaning
- verbpropose
Example
他昨天当着朋友的面向她求婚了。tā zuó tiān dāng zhe péng yǒu de miàn xiàng tā qiú hūn le
He proposed to her in front of his friends yesterday.
More examples
她鼓起勇气向心上人求婚，对方受宠若惊地笑了。tā gú qí yǒng qì xiàng xīn shàng rén qiú hūn duì fāng shòu chǒng ruò jīng dì xiào le
She worked up the courage to propose to the person she loved, and the other person smiled, surprised and flattered.
Core concept
A serious request that a romantic relationship move into marriage.
Common phrases
向心上人求婚xiàng xīn shàng rén qiú hūn
propose to a loved one
羞涩地求婚xiū sè dì qiú hūn
propose shyly
Similar words
表白biǎo bái: Tell someone openly and directly that romantic feelings are present.
结婚jié hūn: Form a legal or social marriage with a partner.
订婚dìng hūn: Agree to marry and begin preparing for the future wedding.
Definition in Chinese
向某人提出结婚的建议或请求，通常带有正式性和认真程度。xiàng mǒu rén tí chū jié hūn de jiàn yì huò qǐng qiú tōng cháng dài yǒu zhèng shì xìng hé rèn zhēn chéng dù
Word origin
求 (qiú, "seek") + 婚 (hūn, "marriage") combines the act of asking with the marriage being requested.
Usage tips
- English uses propose for ideas, plans, and marriage, but this Chinese verb is restricted to the marriage sense.