8 Meaningful Chinese Idioms About Friendship
Celebrate the bonds of friendship with these heartfelt Chinese idioms about loyalty, trust, and companionship.
Friendship is a cornerstone of Chinese social values. These idioms capture the essence of true companionship - from sharing hardships to celebrating successes together.
同舟共济
tóng zhōu gòng jìFace challenges together
Literal: Cross river in same boat
This idiom shares deep connections with China's river-centric civilization, where crossing (济) together (共) in the same boat (同舟) was often a matter of life and death. Ancient texts tell of strangers becoming allies when facing treacherous waters, especially along the mighty Yangtze. During the Thre...
Example
The community united to help those affected by the disaster
社区团结起来帮助受灾群众
风雨同舟
fēng yǔ tóng zhōuShare hardships together
Literal: Share boat in wind and rain
Closely related to '同舟共济' but with added emotional depth, this idiom evokes sharing a boat (同舟) amid wind (风) and rain (雨). It first appeared in Song Dynasty poetry describing political allies weathering court intrigues together. The imagery draws from the experiences of river travelers who formed d...
Example
The partners stood by each other through business difficulties
合伙人在企业困难时期互相支持
守望相助
shǒu wàng xiāng zhùHelp and support each other
Literal: Watch and help each other
Originating from ancient Chinese village organization principles, this phrase describes communities watching (守望) and helping (相助) each other. Historical records from the Zhou Dynasty detail how five families would form mutual aid groups, sharing lookout duties and agricultural assistance. The conce...
Example
During the crisis, neighbors took turns checking on elderly residents
在危机期间，邻居们轮流照看年长居民
众志成城
zhòng zhì chéng chéngUnity creates strength
Literal: Many wills make wall
This architectural metaphor shows how many wills (众志) can form an impenetrable wall (城), drawing from ancient Chinese defensive architecture. It gained significance during the Warring States period when city walls required massive coordinated effort to construct and defend. Historical records detail...
Example
The community's united effort successfully prevented the development project
社区齐心协力成功阻止了开发项目
雪中送炭
xuě zhōng sòng tànHelp in time of need
Literal: Send coal in snow
Sending (送) coal (炭) in snow (雪) weather captured the essence of timely assistance during critical moments. This Song Dynasty idiom arose from stories of wealthy merchants who distributed fuel to poor families during harsh winters, when coal prices typically soared beyond reach. The image of dark co...
Example
The timely loan helped the company survive the economic crisis
及时的贷款帮助公司度过了经济危机
倾盖如故
qīng gài rú gùInstant friendship
Literal: Tilt hat like old friends
Dating to the Spring and Autumn period, this elegant idiom describes the instant rapport between kindred spirits, comparing it to tilting (倾) carriage covers (盖) while greeting as if (如) old (故) friends. The image comes from ancient Chinese road etiquette, where travelers would tilt their carriage c...
Example
The two scientists immediately recognized their shared passion for research
两位科学家立即认识到他们对研究的共同热情
守口如瓶
shǒu kǒu rú píngKeep secrets well
Literal: Guard mouth like bottle
Comparing one's mouth to a sealed bottle (瓶), this idiom emerged during the Tang Dynasty when court intrigue made discretion essential for survival. The bottle (瓶) metaphor was inspired by valuable sealed containers used for storing precious liquids, which would lose their value if opened carelessly...
Example
The trusted advisor never leaked sensitive information
值得信赖的顾问从不泄露敏感信息
海纳百川
hǎi nà bǎi chuānAccept all with open mind
Literal: Sea accepts hundred rivers
This idiom describes how the sea (海) accepts (纳) a hundred (百) rivers (川), celebrating inclusivity and breadth of mind. It first gained prominence during the Tang Dynasty, reflecting China's cosmopolitan golden age when the capital Chang'an welcomed influences from across Asia. The metaphor draws po...
Example
The company welcomed diverse perspectives and ideas
公司欢迎不同的观点和想法
Quick Reference
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