‘夫唱妇随’ is a classical four-character idiom describing the traditional Confucian ideal of marital harmony, where the husband takes the lead in decision-making and public matters, and the wife respectfully follows and supports him—especially in domestic life and social conduct. Literally, ‘husband sings, wife follows’: ‘夫’ means ‘husband’, ‘唱’ (to sing) metaphorically means ‘to initiate or guide’, ‘妇’ means ‘wife’, and ‘随’ means ‘to follow or accompany’. Though rooted in patriarchal values, the phrase is still used today—often with gentle irony or historical reference—to describe couples who coordinate closely or share aligned views.

In modern usage, it appears mostly in written language, literature, or formal speech—not everyday conversation—and may carry nostalgic, humorous, or critical undertones depending on context. It reflects cultural expectations about gender roles but is increasingly discussed in light of evolving family dynamics and gender equality in contemporary China.