相依为命 — “To depend on each other for survival”
相依为命 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to depend on each other for survival”. To rely on each other completely; to be inseparable. Literally, “Depend on each other for life”.
Frequency
相依为命 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 相xiāng
- 依yī
- 为wéi
- 命mìng
相依为命 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 相依为命
这对年轻的夫妇在异乡打拼，互相扶持，相依为命，共同面对生活的挑战。
This young couple works hard in a foreign land, supporting and relying on each other completely, facing life's challenges together.
Origin and Story of 相依为命
After Emperor Wu of Jin unified the country, he promoted 'governing the land with filial piety,' advocating respect for parents and elders. He wanted to enlist Li Mi, a Shangshu Lang from Western Shu, so he issued an imperial edict appointing Li Mi as a Langzhong.
Li Mi was unwilling to take up an official post, so he wrote 'Chen Qing Biao' (Memorial to the Emperor) to Emperor Wu of Jin, stating that he and his grandmother were 'like a body and its shadow, depending on each other for life,' and he would serve as an official after caring for his grandmother.
Idioms Related to 相依为命
Synonyms of 相依为命
Antonyms of 相依为命
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 相依为命
- What does 相依为命 mean?
- 相依为命 (xiāng yī wéi mìng) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to depend on each other for survival”.
- How do you pronounce 相依为命?
- 相依为命 is pronounced xiāng yī wéi mìng in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 相依为命 literally mean?
- Literally, 相依为命 means “Depend on each other for life”. It is used to mean “to depend on each other for survival”.
- Where does 相依为命 come from?
- 相依为命 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 相依为命?
- 互相依靠着过日子。泛指互相依靠，谁也离不开谁。