Definition
相濡以沫 comes from Zhuangzi: fish trapped in a dry rut spray moisture on each other to survive. It describes people in extremely difficult circumstances who help each other with whatever little they have — especially loyal couples or old friends who stay together through hardship. Use it in literary or emotional contexts, not for casual help.
id.
to help each other with meager resources when both are in dire straitsmutual aid through hardship
Examples
- 相濡以沫，。Fūqī èr rén zài zuì kùnnan de shíhou xiāng rú yǐ mò, zhōngyú áo guòlái le.The couple helped each other through the hardest times and finally made it through.
- ，相濡以沫。Tāmen jǐ shí nián de gǎnqíng, shì zài huànnàn zhōng xiāng rú yǐ mò jiànlì qǐlái de.Their decades-long bond was built on mutual support through hardship.
- 相濡以沫，。Lǎo yǒu zhī jiān xiāng rú yǐ mò de qíngyì, bǐ jīnqián gèng zhēnguì.The friendship between old friends who help each other in hard times is more precious than money.
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