骨肉相连

Pronunciation: gǔ ròu xiāng lián Literal meaning: Bones and flesh connected

Origin & Usage

Commonly used in classical Chinese, the idiom 骨肉相连 (gǔ ròu xiāng lián) literally translates to 'bones and flesh are connected.' It evokes the image of the deep, inseparable bond between family members, akin to the physical connection of bones and flesh in the human body. The characters 骨 (gǔ) meaning 'bone,' 肉 (ròu) meaning 'flesh,' 相 (xiāng) meaning 'mutually,' and 连 (lián) meaning 'connected,' collectively emphasize the idea of familial ties that are strong and enduring. In modern usage, this idiom is often employed to describe the profound and unbreakable relationships between close family members, highlighting the natural and inherent connections that bind them together.

Examples

English: "Even after years apart, their bond remained strong, proving that flesh and blood are connected."

Chinese: 即使多年未见，他们的纽带依然牢固，证明了骨肉相连。