相夫教子

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: xiàng fū jiào zǐ
• English Translation: Assisting one's husband and educating the children
• Idiom Composition: 「相」（To assist or support (in this context, it refers to the role of a helper or advisor, similar to the '相' in 'prime minister')）＋「夫」（Husband）＋「教」（To teach or educate）＋「子」（Children）
• Meaning: A traditional Chinese idiom describing the ideal role of a married woman: supporting her husband's career and personal growth while taking responsibility for the upbringing and education of their children.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「相夫教子」 contains the following nuances:

• Traditional Gender Roles: This expression is rooted in the feudal social concept of 'men handle the outside, women handle the inside' (男主外，女主内 - nán zhǔ wài, nǚ zhǔ nèi). In modern times, it is frequently used to describe a woman giving up her career for domestic life.
• The Meaning of 相 (xiàng): In this idiom, 相 (xiàng) does not mean 'each other' or 'mutual.' Instead, it means 'to assist' or 'to support.' It emphasizes the wife's role in contributing to her husband's success and the stability of the household.

3. Usage

「相夫教子」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Lifestyle Choice: Used when a woman chooses to leave her career to become a full-time homemaker after marriage or childbirth. It can be used to describe a positive personal choice or a sacrifice.
  • Example:「婚后她辞去了高薪工作，安心在家相夫教子。」
    （After getting married, she resigned from her high-paying job to stay at home and assist her husband and educate their children.）
• Praising Traditional Virtues: Used to honor a woman's lifelong dedication to her family's success and her children's upbringing. It is a somewhat old-fashioned compliment.
  • Example:「她一生相夫教子，把三个孩子都培养成了大学生。」
    （She spent her whole life dedicated to her husband and children, successfully raising all three of them to become college graduates.）

Additional Examples:

1. 在这个时代，并不是所有女性都愿意回归家庭相夫教子。
   （In this day and age, not all women are willing to return to the family to be a traditional housewife.）
2. 她虽然事业成功，但也希望能有时间相夫教子。
   （Although she is successful in her career, she also hopes to have time to care for her husband and children.）
3. 传统的相夫教子观念正在发生改变。
   （The traditional concept of assisting the husband and educating the children is undergoing a change.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Rooted in Confucian (孔子 - Kǒngzǐ) values, this was considered the standard of virtue for women in ancient China. It is closely linked to the concept of 'men ruling the public sphere and women ruling the private sphere' (男主外，女主内 - nán zhǔ wài, nǚ zhǔ nèi).
• In modern China, while still used to describe women who prioritize family, the term can be controversial. From a feminist or career-oriented perspective, it may be seen as an imposition of outdated values, so its use requires sensitivity to the context.
• While the similar term 贤妻良母 (xián qī liáng mǔ) functions as a noun describing the 'person' (a virtuous wife and good mother), 相夫教子 (xiàng fū jiào zǐ) is more of a verb phrase describing the 'actions' and 'responsibilities' themselves.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 贤妻良母 (xián qī liáng mǔ): A virtuous wife and good mother; the ideal persona of a woman in traditional society.
  • 持家有道 (chí jiā yǒu dào): To be skilled at managing a household and family affairs.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 牝鸡司晨 (pìn jī sī chén): The hen crows at dawn; a derogatory metaphor for a woman usurping power and causing disorder in the family or state.
  • 抛头露面 (pāo tóu lù miàn): To show one's face in public, often in a prominent or conspicuous way.link
  • 自私自利 (zì sī zì lì): To be selfish and only care about one's own benefit.link

6. Summary

相夫教子 (xiàng fū jiào zǐ) represents the traditional domestic ideal for women in Chinese culture. While it historically praised the virtue of a wife's dedication to her family, in modern contexts, it is often used to describe a woman's choice to leave the workforce to become a full-time homemaker. It carries both a sense of traditional respect and a reflection of historical gender roles.