雪中送炭
雪中送炭 (xuě zhōng sòng tàn) literally means “send coal in snow” and expresses “help in time of need”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character.
Also searched as: xue zhong song tan, xue zhong song tan,雪中送炭 meaning, 雪中送炭 in english
Help in time of need
Pronunciation: xuě zhōng sòng tàn Literal meaning: Send coal in snow
Origin & Usage
To send (送) charcoal (炭) into (中) the snow (雪). What the image fixes is timing rather than generosity: charcoal is cheap, and in a snowstorm it is the only thing worth having, so the value of the gift is entirely in when it arrives. Chinese sets it directly against 锦上添花, adding flowers to brocade, and the pair is one of the sharpest tests in the language for what a friendship is actually worth. It is high praise, and it is usually said long afterwards.
Examples
English: "The timely loan helped the company survive the economic crisis"
Chinese: 及时的贷款帮助公司度过了经济危机
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about relationships & character
倾盖如故
qīng gài rú gù
Instant friendship
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同舟共济
tóng zhōu gòng jì
Face challenges together
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风雨同舟
fēng yǔ tóng zhōu
Share hardships together
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春风化雨
chūn fēng huà yǔ
Gentle, nurturing influence
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守望相助
shǒu wàng xiāng zhù
Neighbours look out for each other
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爱屋及乌
ài wū jí wū
Love extends to all connections
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守口如瓶
shǒu kǒu rú píng
Keep secrets well
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以心换心
yǐ xīn huàn xīn
Treat others as yourself
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 雪中送炭 mean in English?
雪中送炭 (xuě zhōng sòng tàn) literally translates to “Send coal in snow” and is used to express “Help in time of need”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 雪中送炭 used?
Situation: The timely loan helped the company survive the economic crisis
What is the pinyin for 雪中送炭?
The pinyin pronunciation for 雪中送炭 is “xuě zhōng sòng tàn”.
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