息息相关
息息相关 (xī xī xiāng guān) literally means “breath to breath mutually connected” and expresses “closely related; intimately connected”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: xi xi xiang guan, xi xi xiang guan,息息相关 meaning, 息息相关 in english
Closely related; intimately connected
Pronunciation: xī xī xiāng guān Literal meaning: Breath to breath mutually connected
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes being connected breath (息) to breath (息), mutually (相) related (关). The breathing metaphor suggests connection as intimate as shared respiration, where one cannot survive without the other. The phrase emphasizes interdependence so close that changes in one immediately affect the other. It reflects the Chinese philosophical view of universal interconnection. Modern usage commonly describes tightly linked phenomena, policies, or outcomes where impact flows bidirectionally.
Examples
English: "Environmental protection is closely linked to public health."
Chinese: 环境保护与公众健康息息相关。
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 息息相关 mean in English?
息息相关 (xī xī xiāng guān) literally translates to “Breath to breath mutually connected” and is used to express “Closely related; intimately connected”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 息息相关 used?
Situation: Environmental protection is closely linked to public health.
What is the pinyin for 息息相关?
The pinyin pronunciation for 息息相关 is “xī xī xiāng guān”.