Chinese Idiom: 抱布贸丝 (Bao Bu Mao Si)
English Translation: Embracing Cloth to Trade for Silk
pīn yīn: bào bù mào sī
Idiom Meaning: This idiom refers to the act of approaching women, often in the context of courtship. It can also metaphorically denote the trading or exchanging of goods.
Historical Source: The Book of Songs (《诗经》), specifically from the poem “The Mournful Woman” (《氓》).
Idiom Story:
In “The Mournful Woman,” a poignant narrative is presented through the voice of a woman who recounts her painful experiences after being abandoned by her husband. The poem opens with a description of the woman’s suitor, who, before their marriage, frequently approached her while carrying cloth, using it as a pretext to exchange for silk, all the while expressing his affection and intentions.
The opening lines of the poem read:
氓之蚩蚩，抱布贸丝。
匪来贸丝，来即我谋。
(Translation: “The man is foolish and laughable, embracing cloth to trade for silk.
He does not come to trade for silk, but to propose to me.”)
The woman reflects on how the man, initially charming and humorous, used the guise of trading cloth for silk to woo her. He would accompany her across the Qi River to the town of Dunqiu, all the while engaging her in discussions about their future together.
She emphasizes that any delays in their marriage were not due to her fault, but rather the lack of a suitable matchmaker. The tone of her plea suggests a sense of disappointment and longing as she asks him not to hold anger towards her, proposing to set their wedding date in the autumn.
This idiom, therefore, serves as a metaphor for the nuances of courtship, encapsulating the blend of sincerity and artifice that often characterizes romantic pursuits. It also highlights the societal conventions surrounding marriage and trade during ancient times.
