唇亡齿寒
唇亡齿寒 (chún wáng chǐ hán) literally means “lips gone teeth cold” and expresses “fates linked together”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: chun wang chi han, chun wang chi han,唇亡齿寒 meaning, 唇亡齿寒 in english
Fates linked together
Pronunciation: chún wáng chǐ hán Literal meaning: Lips gone teeth cold
Origin & Usage
This vivid metaphor emerged from the Warring States period, when advisor Li Ke warned the state of Wei about abandoning its ally. He explained that when lips (唇) perish (亡), teeth (齿) grow cold (寒), illustrating their mutual dependence. The metaphor resonated deeply in Chinese diplomatic thought, appearing in numerous historical treaties and alliances. Originally describing political interdependence, it evolved to represent any symbiotic relationship. Modern usage spans business partnerships to environmental conservation, highlighting how the fate of seemingly different entities is often intertwined. The imagery's physiological accuracy helped it endure as a powerful reminder of interconnectedness.
Examples
English: "When the supplier failed, the manufacturer's production also suffered"
Chinese: 当供应商倒闭时，制造商的生产也受到影响
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一波三折
yī bō sān zhé
Many twists and turns
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改邪归正
gǎi xié guī zhèng
Return to righteousness
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好逸恶劳
hào yì wù láo
Love ease, hate work
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物极必反
wù jí bì fǎn
Extremes lead to reversal
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塞翁失马
sài wēng shī mǎ
Misfortune might be a blessing
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近水楼台
jìn shuǐ lóu tái
Advantage from close connections
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夜郎自大
yè láng zì dà
Overestimate oneself
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因果报应
yīn guǒ bào yìng
Actions have consequences
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 唇亡齿寒 mean in English?
唇亡齿寒 (chún wáng chǐ hán) literally translates to “Lips gone teeth cold” and is used to express “Fates linked together”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 唇亡齿寒 used?
Situation: When the supplier failed, the manufacturer's production also suffered
What is the pinyin for 唇亡齿寒?
The pinyin pronunciation for 唇亡齿寒 is “chún wáng chǐ hán”.
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