白头如新 — “To describe a relationship where”

白头如新 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to describe a relationship where”. Despite a long period of association (even until old age), two people remain strangers, lacking deep understanding or closeness. Literally, “White heads like new”.

Frequency

白头如新 Pronunciation and Pinyin

白头如新 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
白	bái	5	white, bright, clear
头	tóu	5	head
如	rú	6	like, as, if
新	xīn	13	new, fresh, recent

Example Sentence with 白头如新

尽管他们是多年的邻居，但彼此之间始终白头如新，很少深交

Although they had been neighbors for many years, they remained "white-headed yet like new," rarely forming a deep connection.

Origin and Story of 白头如新

During the Western Han Dynasty, Zou Yang was once slandered and imprisoned by King Xiao of Liang, who intended to execute him. Zou Yang was furious. From prison, he wrote a letter to King Xiao, citing facts to argue: "The saying that 'treating people sincerely will not lead to suspicion' is merely an empty phrase."

He wrote: "Jing Ke risked his life to assassinate Qin Shi Huang for Crown Prince Dan of Yan, yet Prince Dan once suspected him of being timid and afraid to depart immediately. Bian He presented a precious jade to the King of Chu, but the king insisted he had committed a crime of deceiving the monarch and ordered his feet to be cut off. Li Si wholeheartedly assisted Qin Shi Huang in governing, making the Qin state rich and powerful, only to be executed by Qin Er Shi."

"Therefore, the proverb says: 'Some grow white-haired as new acquaintances, while others become old friends upon first meeting (倾盖如故).' If two parties do not understand each other, even if they associate for a lifetime until their hair turns white, they remain like newly met strangers; but if they truly understand each other, even a first meeting feels like encountering an old friend."

King Xiao of Liang was deeply moved after reading Zou Yang's letter. He immediately released him and received him as a distinguished guest.