一见如故

Pronunciation: yī jiàn rú gù Literal meaning: Meet like old friends

Origin & Usage

The idiom 一见如故 (yī jiàn rú gù) originates from the historical text 《左传》 (Zuo Zhuan), specifically during the Spring and Autumn period. It tells the story of Ji Zha (季札), a prince of the state of Wu, who was renowned for his wisdom and virtue. On a diplomatic mission to the state of Zheng, Ji Zha met the statesman Zichan (子产). Despite meeting for the first time, they felt an immediate connection, as if they were old friends. The idiom 一见如故 (一, one; 见, meet; 如, like; 故, old) captures this sense of instant rapport and familiarity. In modern usage, it describes situations where people feel an immediate bond upon first meeting, suggesting shared values or mutual understanding.

Examples

English: "When they met for the first time, it felt as if they had known each other forever."

Chinese: 他们一见如故，仿佛是老朋友。