雀屏中选 — “To be chosen as a son-in-law”

Q: What is the Chinese definition of 雀屏中选?

雀屏：画有孔雀的门屏。指得选为女婿。

雀屏中选 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be chosen as a son-in-law”. Typically through a competitive selection process or by demonstrating exceptional skill and merit, as in the famous anecdote. Literally, “Selected by the peacock screen”.

Frequency

雀屏中选 Pronunciation and Pinyin

雀屏中选 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
雀	què	11	sparrow or small bird
屏	píng	9	to shield, block, or screen
中	zhòng	4	middle, in, China, hit, win
选	xuǎn	10	choose, select

Example Sentence with 雀屏中选

众多青年才俊中，他凭借出众的才华和品德，最终雀屏中选，成为了大家羡慕的乘龙快婿。

Among many talented young men, he, with his outstanding talent and character, eventually stood out and was chosen as the enviable accomplished son-in-law, fitting the metaphorical 'peacock screen' selection.

Origin and Story of 雀屏中选

During the Tang Dynasty, Dou Yi believed his daughter possessed both beauty and talent, and should not be married off to an ordinary man. She deserved to marry a truly virtuous and capable person.

Therefore, he painted two peacocks on a screen door, declaring that whoever could simultaneously shoot arrows into the eyes of both peacocks would win his daughter's hand in marriage.

Many young gentlemen came to compete in archery, but unfortunately, none succeeded.

Eventually, Li Yuan (who later became Emperor Gaozu of Tang) shot both peacock eyes with a single arrow and consequently married her.