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gān 肝 dǎn 胆 xiāng 相 zhào 照

肝胆相照 gān dǎn xiāng zhào

to be utterly devoted to one another; loyal friends with nothing hidden

Literally: liver gall mutually illuminate

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Origin

From the Records of the Grand Historian, where 披肝沥胆 described baring one's innermost self; the four-character form appears in Song writings.

How to use it

Predicate or attributive; positive, formal. Often 肝胆相照的朋友.

Example sentences

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  1. 两人在战场上肝胆相照，成了一辈子的兄弟。
    Liǎng rén zài zhànchǎng shàng gān dǎn xiāng zhào, chéng le yībèizi de xiōngdì.
    The two were utterly devoted to each other on the battlefield and became brothers for life.
    two people at battlefield on liver gall mutually illuminate, become (particle) lifetime (particle) brothers
  2. 合作伙伴之间只有肝胆相照，事业才能长久。
    Hézuò huǒbàn zhī jiān zhǐyǒu gān dǎn xiāng zhào, shìyè cái néng chángjiǔ.
    Only when partners are completely open with one another can a business endure.
    cooperation partners between only-if liver gall mutually illuminate, enterprise only-then can long-lasting

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