'Qǔ jìn mén' literally means 'to take (a wife) in through the door' and refers to the traditional act of bringing a bride into the groom’s family home after marriage—symbolizing her formal entry into his household and lineage. The verb 娶 (qǔ) specifically denotes 'to marry (a wife)' (used only for the groom's perspective), while 进门 (jìn mén) means 'to enter the door', here carrying cultural weight as the moment the bride crosses the threshold as a new family member.

This phrase is deeply rooted in Chinese kinship customs and reflects patrilocal residence norms. It’s commonly used in narratives about weddings, family history, or intergenerational stories—not in modern legal or bureaucratic contexts. Though less literal today due to changing living arrangements, it remains a vivid, culturally resonant expression in speech and writing when emphasizing tradition, acceptance, or familial integration.