‘待嫁’ literally means ‘awaiting marriage’ — the character 待 (dài) means ‘to wait for’ or ‘to await’, and 嫁 (jià) means ‘to marry’ (specifically, for a woman to marry into another family). Together, they form a noun describing a woman who is formally engaged or betrothed and actively preparing for her wedding. It carries a gentle, traditional, and somewhat poetic tone, often implying anticipation, readiness, and social recognition of the upcoming marriage.

This term is commonly used in literature, wedding-related contexts, or formal speech — for example, when referring to a bride-to-be’s preparations, emotional state, or social status. It is not used for casual dating or informal relationships; it presumes a firm commitment and concrete wedding plans. Unlike modern terms like ‘bride-to-be’, ‘待嫁’ subtly emphasizes cultural expectations around timing, propriety, and transition into married life.