8 Meaningful Chinese Idioms About Friendship

Face challenges together

Literal meaning: 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...

Share hardships together

Literal meaning: 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...

Help and support each other

Literal meaning: 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...

Unity creates strength

Literal meaning: 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...

Help in time of need

Literal meaning: 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...

Instant friendship

Literal meaning: 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...

Keep secrets well

Literal meaning: 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...

Accept all with open mind

Literal meaning: 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...