If Your Woman is Dominating, Learn this Chinese Expression-Advanced

A recent study named men in Shanghai as the most submissive, or "henpecked," in China.

This now-famous study of Chinese men in Shanghai became a popular topic in online forums, with Chinese netizens pointing out how Shanghai men are often seen carrying their wives bags at the airport, doing household chores traditionally allotted to women, and allowing the women to choose all the dishes at a restaurant. These men who are controlled, or ordered around, by their women are called "妻管严 (qīguǎnyán) henpecked" in China.

Let's break down "妻管严 (qīguǎnyán)":

妻 (qī) is a noun meaning "wife."
管 (guǎn) is a verb meaning "to take care (of) / to manage / to run."
严 (yán) is an adjective meaning "tight (closely sealed) / strict."
We put them together and get:
妻管严 (qīguǎnyán) meaning "henpecked male"

Some examples of "妻管严 (qīguǎnyán)" used in a sentence:

Jack zài wàimiàn hěn niú, zài jiālǐ shì gè "qīguǎnyán."
Jack 在 外面 很 牛，在 家里 是 个 "妻管严" 。
On the exterior, Jack seems really free, but at home he is totally henpecked by his wife.

How do you know if you or someone you know is a "妻管严 (qīguǎnyán)?"

Shénme dōu tīng lǎopo de.
1. 什么 都 听 老婆 的。
No matter what the wife suggests, the husband will obey.

Měi gè yuè gōngzī quánbù jiāo gěi lǎopo.
2. 每 个 月 工资 全部 交 给 老婆。
He hands over all the salary to the wife every month.

Know more other "warning Signs"

So, guys: beware the warning signs of being a "妻管严 (qīguǎnyán)."

Tàiyáng guāng jīn liàngliàng,
太阳 光 金 亮亮，
With the golden sunlight,

xióngjī chàng sān chàng.
雄鸡 唱 三 唱，
the cock is crowing.

Huār xǐng lái le.
花儿 醒 来了。
The flowers are waking up,

niǎor máng shūzhuāng.
鸟儿 忙 梳妆。
and the birds are busy dressing up.

Xiǎo xǐquè zào xīn fáng,
小 喜鹊 造 新 房，
The magpies are building new houses,

xiǎo mìfēng cǎi mì máng.
小 蜜蜂 采 蜜 忙。
and the bees are busy gathering honey.

Xìngfú de shēnghuó cóng nǎlǐ lái?
幸福 的 生活 从 哪里来？
Where does this happy life come from?

yào kào láodòng lái chuàngzào.
要 靠 劳动 来 创造。
Its creation depends on hard work.

Listen to the whole story

Key Learning Points:

Example:

A: Hāi, zhè ge zhōumò qù dǎ lánqiú ba.
A: 嗨，这 个 周末 去 打 篮球 吧。
A: Hi, what about going to play basketball this weekend?Today is Monday.

B: Duì bù qǐ, wǒ zhōumò huì hěn máng.
B: 对 不 起，我 周末 会 很 忙。
B: Sorry, I will be very busy this weekend.