男女有别 nán nǚ yǒu bié Men and women are different

Explanation

男女之间有严格区别。旧时用以强调应严守封建礼教。现在则指男女之间应有适当的距离和行为规范，避免越轨行为。

There is a strict distinction between men and women. In the past, it was used to emphasize the strict adherence to feudal morality. Now it refers to the appropriate distance and behavioral norms between men and women, avoiding transgressive behavior.

Origin Story

很久以前，在一个古老的村庄里，住着一位德高望重的长者。他经常告诫村里的年轻人："男女有别，这是祖祖辈辈传下来的规矩，一定要谨记在心。"村里有一对年轻人，小伙子叫阿强，姑娘叫小翠，他们青梅竹马，感情深厚。一天，阿强去小翠家帮忙干农活，天色已晚，阿强想在小翠家留宿，却被小翠的父母坚决拒绝。小翠的母亲说道："男女有别，这可不是闹着玩的！"阿强和小翠虽然心里有些不满，但还是尊重了长辈的意见，各自回家。第二天，阿强和小翠在田间相遇，相视而笑，彼此心领神会。他们明白，长辈的教诲是为了保护他们，让他们在青春期能够保持纯洁的友谊，避免不必要的麻烦。从那以后，他们更加珍惜彼此的友谊，并在长辈的引导下，遵循着"男女有别"的传统美德，健康快乐地成长。

hěn jiǔ yǐ qián, zài yīgè gǔ lǎo de cūn zhuāng lǐ, zhù zhe yī wèi dé gāo wàng zhòng de zhǎng zhě. tā jīng cháng gào jiè cūn lǐ de nián qīng rén: 'nán nǚ yǒu bié, zhè shì zǔ zǔ bèi chuán xià lái de guī ju, yī dìng yào jǐn jì zài xīn.' cūn lǐ yǒu yī duì nián qīng rén, xiǎo huǒ zi jiào ā qiáng, gū niang jiào xiǎo cuì, tāmen qīng méi zhú mǎ, gǎn qíng shēn hòu. yī tiān, ā qiáng qù xiǎo cuì jiā bāng máng gàn nóng huó, tiān sè yǐ wǎn, ā qiáng xiǎng zài xiǎo cuì jiā liú sù, què bèi xiǎo cuì de fù mǔ jiān jué jù jué. xiǎo cuì de mǔ qīn shuō dào: 'nán nǚ yǒu bié, zhè kě bù shì nào zhe wán de!' ā qiáng hé xiǎo cuì suī rán xīn lǐ yǒu xiē bù mǎn, dàn hái shì zūn zhòng le zhǎng bèi de yì jiàn, gè zì huí jiā. dì èr tiān, ā qiáng hé xiǎo cuì zài tián jiān xiāng yù, xiāng shì ér xiào, bǐ cǐ xīn lǐng shén huì. tāmen míng bái, zhǎng bèi de jiào huì shì wèi le bǎo hù tāmen, ràng tāmen zài qīng chūn qī néng gòu bǎo chí chún jié de yǒu yì, bì miǎn bù bì yào de má fán. cóng nà yǐ hòu, tāmen gèng jiā zhēn xī bǐ cǐ de yǒu yì, bìng zài zhǎng bèi de yǐn dǎo xià, zūn xún zhe 'nán nǚ yǒu bié' de chuán tǒng měi dé, jiàn kāng kuài lè de chéng zhǎng.

Long ago, in an ancient village, there lived a highly respected elder. He often warned the young people in the village: "Men and women are different, this is an old rule passed down from generation to generation, you must remember it. "There was a young couple in the village, the young man named Aqiang and the girl named Xiaocui, they had been childhood sweethearts and had deep feelings for each other. One day, Aqiang went to Xiaocui's home to help with farm work. When it got late, Aqiang wanted to stay overnight at Xiaocui's home, but was firmly refused by Xiaocui's parents. Xiaocui's mother said: "Men and women are different, this is not a joke!" Although Aqiang and Xiaocui were a little unhappy, they still respected the elders' opinions and went home separately. The next day, Aqiang and Xiaocui met in the field, looked at each other and smiled, understanding each other. They understood that the elders' teachings were to protect them, allowing them to maintain pure friendship during puberty and avoid unnecessary trouble. From then on, they cherished their friendship even more, and under the guidance of the elders, followed the traditional virtue of "men and women are different", and grew up healthy and happy.

Usage

用于形容男女之间应该保持适当的距离和尊重，避免不当的行为。多用于正式场合或强调传统礼仪的语境。

yòng yú xíngróng nán nǚ zhī jiān yīnggāi bǎochí shìdàng de jùlí hé zūnzhòng, bìmiǎn bùdàng de xíngwéi. duō yòng yú zhèngshì chǎnghé huò qiángdiào chuántǒng lǐyí de yǔjìng.

Used to describe that men and women should maintain an appropriate distance and respect, avoiding inappropriate behavior. Mostly used in formal occasions or contexts that emphasize traditional etiquette.

Examples

• 男女有别，请勿逾矩。

  nán nǚ yǒu bié, qǐng wù yú jǔ

  Men and women are different, please don't overstep the rules.

• 这间宿舍男女有别，男士止步。

  zhè jiān sùshè nán nǚ yǒu bié, nán shì zhǐ bù

  This dormitory is for men and women separately, men are not allowed.

Related Idioms

• 男女有别

• 男女授受不亲

Opposite Idioms

• 亲密无间

• 暧昧不清