琴瑟不调
Traditional form:
琴瑟不調
Pinyin (reading):
qínsèbùtiáo
Definitions:
- out of tune
- marital discord, cf qin and se 琴瑟, two string instruments as symbol of marital harmony
Characters:
- 琴 - Chinese lute or guitar, string instrument
- 瑟 - a large string instrument; to tremble, to vibrate
- 不 - no, not, un-; negative prefix
- 调 - tune, melody, key; to transfer, to exchange
Traditional characters: