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. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
一帆风顺
yī fān fēng shùn
Plain sailing; everything going smoothly
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千里迢迢
qiān lǐ tiáo tiáo
Travel a great distance
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民富国强
mín fù guó qiáng
Prosperous people and powerful nation
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国泰民安
guó tài mín ān
National peace and public security
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太平盛世
tài píng shèng shì
Golden age of peace and prosperity
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四海升平
sì hǎi shēng píng
Peace everywhere; universal harmony
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安土重迁
ān tǔ zhòng qiān
Prefer stability; reluctant to relocate
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故土难离
gù tǔ nán lí
Hard to leave one's homeland
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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: This idiom applies when describing situations involving fates linked together.
What is the pinyin for 唇亡齿寒?
The pinyin pronunciation for 唇亡齿寒 is “chún wáng chǐ hán”.