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xiāng 相 rú 濡 yǐ 以 mò 沫

相濡以沫 xiāng rú yǐ mò

to help each other in adversity; devoted mutual support in hard times

Literally: mutually moisten with foam

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Origin

From the Zhuangzi (Da Zong Shi): fish stranded on dry land keep each other alive with their spittle — 相呴以湿,相濡以沫.

How to use it

Predicate or attributive; positive, tender. Often 相濡以沫的夫妻 or 几十年相濡以沫.

Example sentences

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  1. 这对老夫妻相濡以沫五十年，从未红过脸。
    Zhè duì lǎo fūqī xiāng rú yǐ mò wǔshí nián, cóng wèi hóng guo liǎn.
    This old couple have supported each other through thick and thin for fifty years and never once quarrelled.
    this pair old couple mutually moisten with foam fifty year, never not-yet redden (experiential particle) face
  2. 在最艰难的岁月里，两家人相濡以沫，共渡难关。
    Zài zuì jiānnán de suìyuè lǐ, liǎng jiā rén xiāng rú yǐ mò, gòng dù nánguān.
    In the hardest years, the two families helped each other and got through the crisis together.
    at most difficult (attributive particle) years in, two family person mutually moisten with foam, together cross difficult pass

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