‘Chū jià’ literally means ‘to go out and marry,’ emphasizing the traditional custom in which a woman leaves her natal family to join her husband’s household upon marriage. The character 出 (chū) means ‘to go out’ or ‘to leave,’ while 嫁 (jià) specifically means ‘to marry (as a woman).’ Together, they form a verb that describes the act of a daughter marrying and moving away from her parents’ home — a culturally significant transition in Chinese society.

This term is used almost exclusively for women and carries connotations of familial duty, social expectation, and life-stage change. It appears frequently in family conversations, wedding-related discussions, historical narratives, and formal writing about marriage customs. While modern usage has softened some traditional implications, ‘chū jià’ still evokes the idea of relocation and role shift — not merely getting married, but formally entering a new family unit as a daughter-in-law.