门当户对

门当户对

Literally means:

(of marriage) bewell-matched in socioeconomic conditions

Actually means:

be of similar background

当, equivalent or commensurate; 对, wellmatched as a counterpart.

This phrase describes the similar socioeconomic and educational background of two families before they are united by marriage. In ancient China, the similar socioeconomic background of two families was considered an important criterion for marriage by the upper class. Failure to meet such criterion always incurred denouncement or censure. People nowadays care much less about it.

当，相当、相称；对，相配，适合。

门当户对，谈婚论嫁的男女双方的家庭背景（如社会地位、文化素养、 经济条件等）大致相同，可以匹配。中国古时 候,社会上层人士往往把男女家庭的门当户对 作为婚嫁的一个重要条件，不是门当户对的婚 姻常常遭到批评或责难。现在人们在这方面并不非常在意。