10 Chinese Sayings About Friendship & Loyalty
Meaningful Chinese sayings about true friendship, loyalty, and the bonds that stand the test of time.
True friendship in Chinese culture goes beyond casual companionship - it means standing together through storms, sharing complete trust, and forming bonds so deep they become legendary. These 10 sayings capture that spirit.
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
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
高山流水
gāo shān liú shuǐPerfect artistic understanding between friends
Literal: High mountain flowing water
This aesthetic idiom pairs lofty (高) mountains (山) with flowing (流) water (水), originating from a famous friendship between Zhong Ziqi and musician Bo Ya during the Spring and Autumn period. Historical texts recount how Bo Ya would play his qin while Zhong Ziqi perfectly understood his musical inten...
Example
The virtuoso's performance demonstrated perfect artistic harmony and expression
这位大师的表演展示了完美的艺术和谐与表现力
相见恨晚
xiāng jiàn hèn wǎnRegret not meeting sooner; instant rapport
Literal: Meeting each other regret it was late
This idiom describes meeting (相见) and regretting (恨) it was late (晚). It expresses the feeling when connecting with someone special and wishing the relationship had begun sooner. The phrase appeared in classical literature describing profound connections between people who felt their meeting was ove...
Example
The two researchers wished they had met years earlier.
两位研究者相见恨晚，希望能更早相识。
肝胆相照
gān dǎn xiāng zhàoShare complete trust and loyalty
Literal: Livers and galls illuminate each other
This idiom describes livers (肝) and galls (胆) illuminating (照) each other (相). In Chinese culture, these organs represent courage and sincerity. The phrase depicts friends so close they share their innermost selves. Modern usage describes deep friendship characterized by complete trust and transpare...
Example
The two friends shared everything with complete trust.
两位朋友肝胆相照，完全信任彼此。
志同道合
zhì tóng dào héShare the same goals and values
Literal: Same aspirations, aligned paths
This idiom describes having the same (同) aspirations (志) and aligned (合) paths (道). It depicts people united by shared goals and values rather than mere proximity or convenience. The phrase emphasizes ideological and purposeful alignment. Modern usage describes like-minded people who come together b...
Example
They became partners because they shared the same vision.
他们志同道合，因此成为合作伙伴。
莫逆之交
mò nì zhī jiāoBe bosom friends
Literal: Friendship without opposition
This idiom describes a friendship (交) without (莫) opposition (逆). It comes from Zhuangzi describing friends whose relationship has no discord or conflict. The phrase depicts ideal friendship where understanding is so complete that disagreement doesn't arise. Modern usage describes best friends whose...
Example
Despite their different backgrounds, they became the closest of friends.
尽管背景不同，他们成为了莫逆之交。
刎颈之交
wěn jǐng zhī jiāoBe sworn friends; absolute loyalty
Literal: Friendship of severed necks
This idiom describes a friendship (交) of severed necks (刎颈). It comes from the story of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru who reconciled their enmity and became friends willing to die for each other. The phrase represents the highest level of loyal friendship. Modern usage describes friends so devoted they wo...
Example
They pledged loyalty to each other through thick and thin.
他们是刎颈之交，发誓同甘共苦。
相濡以沫
xiāng rú yǐ mòHelp each other in adversity
Literal: Moisten each other with foam
This idiom describes moistening each other (相濡) with foam (以沫). From Zhuangzi's parable of fish in a drying pond who keep each other alive by sharing their foam. Though Zhuangzi suggested freedom was better, the phrase came to represent devoted mutual support during hardship. Modern usage describes ...
Example
The elderly couple supported each other through their difficult years.
这对老夫妻在困难岁月里相濡以沫。
Quick Reference
More Chinese Idiom Lists
10 Powerful Chinese Idioms for Business Success
Master these essential Chinese idioms (chengyu) to impress in business meetings, negotiations, and professional settings.
8 Beautiful Chinese Idioms About Love & Romance
Discover romantic Chinese idioms that express love, devotion, and relationships in poetic ways.
10 Chinese Idioms Every Student Should Know
Essential Chinese idioms about learning, education, and academic success that will inspire your studies.
8 Meaningful Chinese Idioms About Friendship
Celebrate the bonds of friendship with these heartfelt Chinese idioms about loyalty, trust, and companionship.
Learn Chinese Idioms Daily
Get a new Chinese idiom delivered to your home screen every day with our free iOS app. Features pinyin pronunciation, meanings, and cultural context.
Download Free App