📖 Meaning
A term for an ideal son-in-law who is both talented and handsome. Originally rooted in Daoist imagery of immortals ascending to heaven on dragons, it is now used as a high compliment to praise someone else's son-in-law.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the 'Book of Wei' (《魏书》), in the biography of the scholar Liu Bing (刘昞). The story recounts that Guo Yu (郭瑀), a respected figure, was seeking a worthy son-in-law. Upon hearing this, Liu Bing confidently entered the room with dignified composure and declared himself the right candidate. Impressed by his bearing and talent, Guo Yu indeed gave his daughter in marriage to him. The 'riding a dragon' (乘龙) imagery alludes to Daoist tales of immortals riding dragons to transcendence, metaphorically describing an exceptional and distinguished person.
💡 Example Usage
邻居们都羡慕老张家有个乘龙快婿。
The neighbors all envy the Zhang family for having such an excellent son-in-law.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 乘龙快婿
- Pinyin: chéng lóng kuài xù
- Literal Translation: ride, dragon, pleasing, son-in-law
- Category: Quality
- Characters: 4