| 琴瑟不调 |
qín sè bù tiáo |
out of tune / marital discord, cf qin and se 琴瑟, two string instruments as symbol of marital harmony |
| 琴 |
qín |
guqin 古琴 (a type of zither) / musical instrument in general |
| 琴 |
qín |
variant of 琴, guqin or zither |
| 琴瑟 |
qín sè |
qin and se, two string instruments that play in perfect harmony / marital harmony |
| 瑟 |
sè |
a type of standing harp, smaller than konghou 箜篌, with 5-25 strings |
| 不 |
bù |
no; not so / (bound form) not; un- |
| 调 |
diào |
to transfer / to move (troops or cadres) / to investigate / to enquire into / accent / view / argument / key (in music) / mode (music) / tune / tone / melody |
| 调 |
tiáo |
to harmonize / to reconcile / to blend / to suit well / to adjust / to regulate / to season (food) / to provoke / to incite |