To cruelly or forcibly separate a pair of lovers, especially by family or societal pressure; literally "to strike the mandarin ducks with a stick".

a common motif in traditional Chinese paintings symbolizing a loving couple

To mistakenly or arbitrarily pair people together as a romantic couple; by extension, to misallocate personnel or force unrelated things together.

an unmarried couple, illicit lovers, or an unorthodox couple; partners in a relationship without a formal marriage

a double seat specially provided for couples or lovers in places like cinemas and theaters

A bridal chamber for newlyweds, or more generally, a guest room or temporary accommodation for a married couple

(literary) an embroidery loom or a weaving machine used for making fine silks

A residential building containing apartments specifically for young newlywed couples.

a couple taking a bath together

roof tiles laid in overlapping pairs; also called [[鸳瓦|鴛瓦|yuan1 wa3]]

Mandarin ducks and butterflies, used as a metaphor for a pair of lovers

A popular romantic literary school in early 20th-century China (primarily Shanghai) that focused on love stories between gifted scholars and beautiful ladies; it was later criticized by socialist realists for its commercialism and traditionalist sentiment.

Double bedding or a quilt for a couple, often associated with newlyweds.

the seeds of the rosary pea plant, known for their bright red and black coloration

A famous Ming Dynasty story and opera in which a judge resolves a complex legal case by rearranging several couples into happy marriages; metaphorically used to describe a person (usually an official) who makes well-intentioned but arbitrary or unconventional matchmaking decisions to resolve a mess.

a hot pot divided into two sections, typically containing one spicy broth and one mild broth

To mistakenly match people as a romantic couple; by extension, to misallocate personnel or bundle unrelated things together.

husband and wife or a couple who share the same fate, especially one of hardship and suffering

(idiom) a couple in love; specifically a husband and wife

(literary) a spouse or a husband and wife, often used to refer to a devoted pair