相濡相呴 — “To help each other out of mutual difficulty”

相濡相呴 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to help each other out of mutual difficulty”. Especially when both are in dire straits, often implying a shared struggle and reliance. Literally, “Mutually moisten and spit on each other”.

Frequency

相濡相呴 Pronunciation and Pinyin

相濡相呴 Character Breakdown

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
相	xiāng	9	mutual or appearance
濡	rú	17	to moisten, soak, or influence
相	xiāng	9	mutual or appearance
呴	xǔ	—

Example Sentence with 相濡相呴

在公司最困难的时候，大家不计较个人得失，相濡相呴，终于渡过了难关。

During the company's most challenging period, everyone disregarded personal gains and losses, providing mutual support and eventually overcoming the difficulties together.

Origin and Story of 相濡相呴

During the Warring States period, Zhuangzi lived in extreme poverty, often not having enough food for the next meal. His wife urged him to borrow grain, so he went to Jianhe Hou (the Marquis of Jianhe) for help.

Jianhe Hou promised to lend him grain after the autumn harvest. Zhuangzi remarked that 'distant water cannot quench immediate thirst' and returned home.

His wife then asked him to seek help elsewhere. Zhuangzi replied that they should live like the carp in a dried-up rut, 'mutually moistening each other with their saliva' to survive.

Hearing this, his wife could only weep secretly, understanding their dire situation and the need for mutual support.