唇亡齿寒 — “A metaphor for two closely interdependent entities”
唇亡齿寒 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a metaphor for two closely interdependent entities”. Where the downfall or weakening of one will inevitably affect or endanger the other. Literally, “If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold”.
唇亡齿寒 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 唇chún
- 亡wáng
- 齿chǐ
- 寒hán
唇亡齿寒 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 唇亡齿寒
Origin and Story of 唇亡齿寒
During the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Xian of Jin wanted to expand his power and territory. He found an excuse, claiming that the neighboring State of Guo frequently encroached upon Jin's borders, and decided to dispatch troops to conquer Guo. However, the State of Yu lay between Jin and Guo, and attacking Guo required passage through Yu's territory. 'How can we successfully pass through Yu?' Duke Xian asked his ministers.
Minister Xun Xi replied, 'The ruler of Yu is shortsighted and covetous of petty gains. If we present him with priceless jade and precious horses, he will not refuse to grant us passage.' Duke Xian was a little reluctant at first. Xun Xi, perceiving the Duke's thoughts, said, 'Yu and Guo are neighbors, interdependent like lips and teeth. If Guo is destroyed, Yu cannot survive alone. Your jade and horses will merely be temporarily stored with the Duke of Yu.' Duke Xian adopted Xun Xi's strategy.
Upon seeing the two valuable gifts, the ruler of Yu was overjoyed. When Xun Xi mentioned the request to borrow passage through Yu, he immediately agreed without hesitation. Gong Zhiqi, a minister of Yu, heard about this and quickly tried to stop him, saying, 'No, no! Yu and Guo are neighbors, interdependent like lips and teeth. Our two small states rely on each other and can help each other in times of need. If Guo is destroyed, our State of Yu will also be difficult to preserve. As the saying goes, "If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold" – without lips, the teeth cannot be protected! Granting passage to Jin is absolutely impermissible.'
The Duke of Yu said, 'Jin is a powerful state, and now they are specially sending us precious jade and horses to befriend us. Are we not even allowed to let them pass through our territory?' Gong Zhiqi sighed repeatedly, knowing that the day of Yu's downfall was not far off, so he took his entire family and left the State of Yu.
As expected, the Jin army, having passed through Yu, destroyed Guo. Afterwards, they seized the Duke of Yu, who had personally welcomed the Jin army, and conquered Yu.
Idioms Related to 唇亡齿寒
Synonyms of 唇亡齿寒
More idioms starting with 唇
- chún唇bù不lí离sāi腮always together, very close relationship
- chún唇rú如jī激dān丹lips like vivid cinnabar
- chún唇jiān尖shé舌lì利eloquent and sharp-tongued
- chún唇gān干kǒu口zào燥lips dry, mouth parched from talking
- chún唇jiē揭chǐ齿hán寒interdependent, shared vulnerability
- chún唇bì敝shé舌fǔ腐talk oneself hoarse
- chún唇qiāng枪shé舌jiàn剑fierce verbal debate
- chún唇jiāo焦kǒu口zào燥lips and mouth parched from talking
- chún唇jiāo焦shé舌bì敝talk oneself hoarse
- chún唇jié竭chǐ齿hán寒interdependent; if one falls, the other is in danger
- chún唇hóng红chǐ齿bái白red lips and white teeth
- chún唇fǔ腐chǐ齿luò落study extremely diligently
Questions about 唇亡齿寒
- What does 唇亡齿寒 mean?
- 唇亡齿寒 (chún wáng chǐ hán) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “a metaphor for two closely interdependent entities”.
- How do you pronounce 唇亡齿寒?
- 唇亡齿寒 is pronounced chún wáng chǐ hán in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 唇亡齿寒 literally mean?
- Literally, 唇亡齿寒 means “If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold”. It is used to mean “a metaphor for two closely interdependent entities”.
- Where does 唇亡齿寒 come from?
- 唇亡齿寒 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 唇亡齿寒?
- 嘴唇没有了，牙齿就会感到寒冷。比喻利害密要相关。