相濡以沫 — “Moisten each other with spittle”
相濡以沫 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to offer mutual help and support when both are in dire straits or difficult circumstances, even with very limited means; to stick together in adversity”. Literally, “moisten each other with spittle”.
相濡以沫 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 相xiāng
- 濡rú
- 以yǐ
- 沫mò
相濡以沫 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 相濡以沫
Origin and Story of 相濡以沫
During the Warring States period, Zhuangzi lived in poverty, often not knowing where his next meal would come from. His wife urged him to borrow grain.
He went to Lord Jianhe to borrow some. Lord Jianhe promised to lend him grain in the autumn. Zhuangzi replied that distant water could not quench a near thirst and returned home.
His wife asked him to borrow from somewhere else. He said they had to live like the crucian carp in a dry rut, moistening each other with spittle to survive.
His wife could only weep in secret.
Idioms Related to 相濡以沫
Antonyms of 相濡以沫
More idioms starting with 相
- xiāng相yǔ与yī一kǒu口collude and speak with one accord
- xiāng相yǔ与wéi为yī一merge into one
- xiāng相yǔ与wèi为mìng命depend on each other for survival
- xiāng相wèi为biǎo表lǐ里interdependent as exterior and interior
- xiāng相xí习chéng成sú俗mutual practice forms custom
- xiāng相xí习chéng成fēng风habits form a custom
- xiāng相hù互zūn尊zhòng重show mutual respect
- xiāng相jiāo交yǒu有nián年long-standing friendship
- xiāng相qīn亲xiāng相ài爱love and cherish each other deeply
- xiāng相qīn亲xiāng相jìn近mutually affectionate and intimate
- xiāng相fǎng仿xiāng相xiào效imitate and emulate each other
- xiàng相tǐ体cái裁yī衣tailor to fit the situation
Questions about 相濡以沫
- What does 相濡以沫 mean?
- 相濡以沫 (xiāng rú yǐ mò) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to offer mutual help and support when both are in dire straits or difficult circumstances, even with very limited means; to stick together in adversity”.
- How do you pronounce 相濡以沫?
- 相濡以沫 is pronounced xiāng rú yǐ mò in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 相濡以沫 literally mean?
- Literally, 相濡以沫 means “moisten each other with spittle”. It is used to mean “to offer mutual help and support when both are in dire straits or difficult circumstances, even with very limited means; to stick together in adversity”.
- Where does 相濡以沫 come from?
- 相濡以沫 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 相濡以沫?
- 濡：沾湿；沫：唾沫。泉水干了，鱼吐沫互相润湿。比喻一同在困难的处境里，用微薄的力量互相帮助。