📖 Meaning
Refers to sworn enemies or mortal foes — two people who harbor deep resentment toward each other and cannot coexist peacefully. It often describes a relationship of irreconcilable hostility, whether between individuals or opposing forces.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the Qing Dynasty writer Li Yu's play 'Shen Luan Jiao: Hen Tu' (慎鸾交·狠图). In the play, a character laments that scholarly talent and monetary wealth are like '冤家对头' — sworn enemies that refuse to meet each other. The phrase captures the idea that certain things are naturally antagonistic, like cats and dogs. Over time, it became a common expression for any pair of bitter adversaries.
💡 Example Usage
这两个冤家对头一见面就吵得不可开交。
These two sworn enemies start quarreling fiercely the moment they lay eyes on each other.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 冤家对头
- Pinyin: yuān jia duì tóu
- Literal Translation: grievance person, opposing head
- Category: Status
- Characters: 4