Dingqin is the formal engagement, a significant step before marriage, often involving family agreement.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Formal agreement to marry.
- A significant step before marriage.
- Often involves families and traditions.
Overview
定亲（dìng qīn）是一个中文词语，主要指男女双方在家庭的认可下，正式确定恋爱关系并准备结婚的过程。在中国传统文化中，定亲是婚姻过程中一个非常重要的环节，它意味着双方家庭也结成了亲家，为未来的婚姻奠定了基础。这个词语通常在描述传统婚俗或者一些比较正式的场合中使用。
定亲通常作为动词使用，后面可以跟宾语，比如“定亲宴”、“定亲戒指”等。也可以说“他们已经定亲了”。在口语中，人们也常用“订婚”来表示同样的意思，但“定亲”有时更侧重于双方家庭的约定和认可。
定亲这个词语常常出现在关于婚姻、家庭、婚俗的讨论中。例如，在描述长辈安排的婚姻或者传统婚礼的准备过程中，可能会用到这个词。在一些家庭聚会或亲戚间的谈话中，当谈论到某个晚辈的婚事时，也可能出现。
与“定亲”最相似的词是“订婚”（dìng hūn）。两者意思非常接近，都表示男女双方确定婚姻关系。但在一些语境下，“定亲”可能更强调家庭的参与和传统习俗的色彩，而“订婚”则更为普遍和现代。例如，在现代社会，“订婚”更常用于描述年轻人之间的自主决定，而“定亲”则可能带有一些长辈做主或遵循传统仪式的意味。此外，“结婚”（jié hūn）是最终的仪式，而“定亲”是结婚前的一个重要步骤。
Examples
我的哥哥和他的女朋友上个月已经定亲了。
everydayMy older brother and his girlfriend got engaged last month.
在传统婚礼中，定亲是一个不可或缺的环节。
formalIn traditional weddings, engagement is an indispensable part.
听说他们俩好事将近，已经定亲了。
informalI heard good things are coming for them, they're already engaged.
定亲仪式在古代社会具有重要的社会和家庭意义。
academicThe engagement ceremony held significant social and familial meaning in ancient society.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
他们定亲了
They are engaged.
定亲仪式
engagement ceremony
准备定亲
prepare for engagement
Often Confused With
'Dingqin' (定亲) often implies a stronger emphasis on family agreement and traditional customs, while 'Dinghun' (订婚) is a more general and modern term for engagement.
'Dingqin' (定亲) is the engagement, a promise or agreement to marry, whereas 'Jiehun' (结婚) is the actual act or ceremony of getting married.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term 'dingqin' is generally used in contexts discussing traditional Chinese weddings or family arrangements. While 'dinghun' is more common in modern, everyday conversation, 'dingqin' can carry a sense of formality and cultural weight. It is less common in casual, spontaneous speech compared to 'dinghun'.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 'dingqin' with the final marriage ceremony ('jiehun'). It's important to remember that 'dingqin' is the step before marriage. Also, differentiating it from the more modern 'dinghun' can be subtle, with 'dingqin' often implying more traditional family involvement.
Tips
Understand Engagement Customs
Learn about the specific customs related to 'dingqin' in different Chinese regions or families.
Distinguish from Marriage
Remember that 'dingqin' is the engagement, not the final marriage ceremony itself.
Family Involvement is Key
'Dingqin' traditionally emphasizes the agreement and involvement of both families, not just the couple.
Word Origin
The word 'dingqin' (定亲) is composed of 'ding' (定), meaning 'to fix', 'to decide', or 'to set', and 'qin' (亲), meaning 'relative' or 'family'. Together, it signifies the act of fixing or deciding upon the union of families through marriage.
Cultural Context
In traditional Chinese culture, 'dingqin' was a crucial step involving the formal agreement of both families, often arranged by parents. It signified the beginning of the marriage process and the formation of kinship ties between the two families.
Memory Tip
Think of 'ding' (定) as 'setting' the date or the plan, and 'qin' (亲) as 'kin' or family. So, 'dingqin' is when the families set the plan for marriage.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“定亲”和“订婚”的意思非常接近，都可以表示男女双方确定婚姻关系。但“定亲”有时更侧重于双方家庭的认可和传统习俗，而“订婚”则更现代和普遍。
在传统观念和一些地区，定亲是结婚前的重要步骤，代表了双方家庭的正式同意。但在现代社会，许多年轻人选择跳过定亲仪式，直接进入婚姻。
定亲通常包括双方家庭见面、交换礼物、商定婚事细节等。有些地方还有专门的定亲仪式或宴请。
定亲这个词语可以用在描述传统婚俗、家庭对话、或者一些比较正式的场合，尤其是在谈论婚姻大事时。
Test Yourself
他们两家已经_______，准备在年底结婚。
“定亲”表示双方家庭同意结婚，符合句意。
下列哪个词语最接近“定亲”的意思？
“订婚”是“定亲”最接近的同义词，都表示确定婚姻关系。
词语：他们，已经，定亲
“他们已经定亲”是符合中文语法的正确句子结构。
Score: /3
Summary
Dingqin is the formal engagement, a significant step before marriage, often involving family agreement.
- Formal agreement to marry.
- A significant step before marriage.
- Often involves families and traditions.
Understand Engagement Customs
Learn about the specific customs related to 'dingqin' in different Chinese regions or families.
Distinguish from Marriage
Remember that 'dingqin' is the engagement, not the final marriage ceremony itself.
Family Involvement is Key
'Dingqin' traditionally emphasizes the agreement and involvement of both families, not just the couple.
Examples
4 of 4我的哥哥和他的女朋友上个月已经定亲了。
My older brother and his girlfriend got engaged last month.
在传统婚礼中，定亲是一个不可或缺的环节。
In traditional weddings, engagement is an indispensable part.
听说他们俩好事将近，已经定亲了。
I heard good things are coming for them, they're already engaged.
定亲仪式在古代社会具有重要的社会和家庭意义。
The engagement ceremony held significant social and familial meaning in ancient society.
