琴瑟不调 qín sè bù tiáo

DEFINITIONS

  1. out of tune
  2. marital discord, cf qin and se 琴瑟, two string instruments as symbol of marital harmony

CHARACTERS

琴 qín
HSK 4
Chinese lute or guitar
瑟 sè large stringed musical instrument; dignified, massive; sound of wind
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
调 tiáo
HSK 3
transfer, move, change; tune