Do you know Chinese “妻管严” (qī guǎn yán)?

A recent study named men in Shanghai as the most submissive, or "henpecked," in China. The English term "henpecked" is often used to describe these males whose feathers have been "plucked" by their women (his hen). These "henpecked" husbands and boyfriends are controlled by their women, consistently following her demands and advice and often ignoring their own male friends in favor of her needs.

最近一项研究表明，上海男人是中国最惧内的男人。英语单词"henpecked"经常用来形容这些怕女人的男人。这些惧内的男人（丈夫或男友）被女人控制，一贯服从女人的命令和建议，常常见色忘友。

This now-famous study of Chinese men in Shanghai became a popular topic in online forums, with Chinese netizens pointing out how Shanghai men are often seen carrying their wives bags at the airport, doing household chores traditionally allotted to women, and allowing the women to choose all the dishes at a restaurant. These men who are controlled, or ordered around, by their women are called "妻管严 (qīguǎnyán) henpecked" in China.

这项研究成为网上热聊的话题，网友指出，上海男人会在机场帮老婆拎包、做家务、让老婆点菜。这些被女人控制、颐指气使的男人在中国被称为"妻管严"。

Let's break down "妻管严 (qīguǎnyán)":

妻 (qī) is a noun meaning "wife."

管 (guǎn) is a verb meaning "to take care (of) / to manage / to run."

严 (yán) is an adjective meaning "tight (closely sealed) / strict," we put them together and get:

妻管严 (qīguǎnyán) meaning "henpecked male."

Some examples of "妻管严 (qīguǎnyán)" used in a sentence:

Tā shénme dōu tīng tàitai de, suǒyǐ tā de péngyou dōu jiào tā "qīguǎnyán."

他    什么    都    听  太太 的，所以 他 的   朋友       都  叫   他  "妻管严"。

He does whatever his wife tells him, so his friends all say that he's henpecked.

Jack zài wàimiàn hěn niú, zài jiā lǐ shì gè "qīguǎnyán." 

Jack 在   外面      很  牛，在 家 里 是 个   "妻管严" 。

On the exterior, Jack seems really free, but at home he is totally henpecked by his wife.

How do you know if you or someone you know is a "妻管严 (qīguǎnyán)?" Here are some characteristics, or "warning signs":

Shénme dōu tīng lǎopo de. 

1. 什么        都   听  老婆   的。

No matter what the wife suggests, the husband will obey.

Měi gè yuè gōngzī quánbù jiāo gěi lǎopo. 

2. 每  个   月   工资    全部      交   给  老婆。

He hands over all the salary to the wife every month.

Jiā lǐ jiāwù huó ér quán bāo le.

3. 家 里 家务  活  儿   全    包  了。

He does all the housework.

So, guys: beware the warning signs of being a "妻管严 (qīguǎnyán)." And, ladies: be careful not to create a "妻管严 (qīguǎnyán)" through your demands!

Quiz:

1. Which one is not an example of what a "妻管严 (qīguǎnyán)" does:

A. Shouting at his wife when quarrel

B. Spending all day Saturday doing household chores

C. Handing over his entire salary to his wife

Source: echineselearning