ProverbHuman Nature
Chinese origin
Chinese origin千里姻缘一线牵 (Qiān lǐ yīnyuán yí xiàn qiān)
Meaning: Couples who are meant to be together find each other, however far apart.
Literally: A thread ties a match a thousand miles apart
Example: “他们一个在北京，一个在巴黎，最后却结了婚。千里姻缘一线牵。” — One lived in Beijing, the other in Paris, and they ended up married: marriages are made in heaven.
Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, Japanese, German, and 4 more languages
English: Marriages are made in heaven.
French: Les mariages sont écrits dans le ciel (literally: Marriages are written in heaven)
Spanish: Casamiento y mortaja, del cielo bajan (literally: Marriage and burial shroud come down from heaven)
Japanese: 縁は異なもの味なもの (En wa ina mono aji na mono) (literally: Marital ties are strange things, and delightful things)
German: Ehen werden im Himmel geschlossen (literally: Marriages are concluded in heaven)
Italian: Matrimoni e vescovati sono destinati dal cielo (literally: Marriages and bishoprics are destined by heaven)
Portuguese: Casamento e mortalha no céu se talha (literally: Marriage and shroud are cut in heaven)
Dutch: De huwelijken worden in de hemel gesloten (literally: Marriages are made in heaven)
Russian: Браки совершаются на небесах (Braki sovershayutsya na nebesakh) (literally: Marriages are made in heaven)
Origin: It refers to Yue Lao, the old matchmaker under the moon of Chinese legend, who ties the feet of future spouses with an invisible red thread.
Explore another collection: Idioms
Colorful expressions from dozens of languages, with their word-for-word translations.
- 一箭双雕 (Yī jiàn shuāng diāo) To achieve two things with a single act.
- 班门弄斧 (bān mén nòng fǔ) To display feeble skill before a true master.
- 名落孙山 (míng luò Sūn Shān) To fail an examination.
Keep exploring