Saturday, 16 December 2023

Chinese sayings: 20 (牽衣投轄 / 牵衣投辖)

 

牽衣投轄 / 牵衣投辖

qiān yī tóu xiá

“pull garment throw linchpin”


(轄 xiá / linchpin — a pin passed through the end of an axle to keep a wheel in position)


This is a saying to describe the extent the host goes to in an attempt to make the guest stay.

    The 投轄 tóu xiá here is throwing the linchpin of the [guest’s] cart into a well, so that they can’t leave. 

    I can understand pulling at the guest’s clothes to stop them from leaving, but throwing their cart’s linchpin into the well?!  I just love the imagery!  Hahahahaha.



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