Blind date
Meaning: A date with someone you've never met before, usually arranged by a mutual friend.
A blind date is a social meeting between two people who haven't met, typically set up by a friend, family member, or (in modern times) a dating app. You go in 'blind' — not knowing what to expect. Blind dates are a classic part of American romantic culture, the subject of countless movies and TV episodes. They can be exciting or awkward.
Examples
- My friend set me up on a blind date with her coworker. I'm so nervous. 我朋友帮我安排了和她同事的相亲。我紧张死了。Mi amiga me organizó una cita a ciegas con un compañero de trabajo suyo. Estoy nerviosísima.友達が職場の同僚とブラインドデートをセッティングしてくれたの。すごく緊張する。친구가 직장 동료랑 소개팅을 잡아 줬어. 너무 긴장돼.
- The blind date was actually amazing — we talked for four hours straight. 那次相亲其实棒极了——我们一口气聊了四个小时。La cita a ciegas fue increíble — estuvimos hablando cuatro horas seguidas.そのブラインドデートは実は最高だった——4時間もぶっ通しで話し込んだよ。그 소개팅은 실은 대박이었어 — 4시간이나 쉬지 않고 얘기했어.
- I've been on some terrible blind dates. One guy spent the whole dinner talking about his ex. 我经历过一些糟糕的相亲。有个男的整顿饭都在说他前女友。He tenido algunas citas a ciegas horribles. Un tío se pasó toda la cena hablando de su ex.ひどいブラインドデートも経験したよ。ある男はディナーの間ずっと元カノの話ばかりしてた。끔찍한 소개팅도 해 봤어. 한 남자는 저녁 내내 전 여자친구 얘기만 했어.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: dating, matchmaking, social life
Tone: nervous, excited
✓ Do Say
- I have a blind date tonight!我今晚有个相亲!¡Tengo una cita a ciegas esta noche!今夜ブラインドデートなんだ!오늘 밤 소개팅이 있어!
- My parents actually met on a blind date.我爸妈其实就是相亲认识的。Mis padres en realidad se conocieron en una cita a ciegas.実はうちの両親、ブラインドデートで出会ったんだよ。우리 부모님은 사실 소개팅으로 만났어.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't set up a blind date without both parties' consent — surprise setups are uncomfortable不要在双方都没同意的情况下安排相亲——突然袭击式的配对会让人很不舒服No organices una cita a ciegas sin el consentimiento de ambas partes — las sorpresas así son incómodas双方の同意なしにブラインドデートをセッティングしないこと——サプライズ的なお膳立ては気まずい양쪽 모두의 동의 없이 소개팅을 주선하지 마라 — 깜짝 주선은 불편하다
Origin & History
The term has been used in American English since the 1920s. 'Blind' refers to the fact that you can't see (know) who you'll be meeting. Despite the rise of dating apps, the concept persists as friends still set up mutual connections.
Cultural Context
Era: 1920s onward
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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