When combined, 买 (mǎi) + 房 (fáng) literally and logically means “to buy a house.” The phrase is so common that it functions like a single unit of meaning.
In China, “买房” is not just a financial decision; it's a cultural cornerstone. It's deeply connected to the traditional idiom 安居乐业 (ānjūlèyè), which means “to live in peace and work happily.” The “peaceful residence” (安居) is seen as the foundation for everything else. A crucial comparison to Western culture is its link to marriage. In many Western countries, young couples often rent for years before considering a home purchase. In China, there's immense social pressure, particularly on the man, to 买房 before getting married. This has given rise to the term “丈母娘经济” (zhàngmǔniáng jīngjì), or the “mother-in-law economy,” where the bride's mother often requires the prospective groom to own a property as a sign of his stability and commitment. This pressure means that 买房 often becomes a family affair, with parents and even grandparents contributing their life savings to help their child secure a down payment. Owning a home is a powerful symbol of success, filial piety (providing security for the family), and social “face” (面子).
买房 is a constant topic of conversation among young adults, in the news, and on social media.