如影随形 (rú yǐng suí xíng) — inseparable; to follow closely like a shadow; t… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Literally 'like a shadow following a shape': two things are so closely linked that one is never far from the other. Used for ideas, events, or problems that always occur together.

idiom

inseparableto follow closely like a shadowto be closely associated

Examples

如影随形，。
Chéng gōng yǔ nǔ lì rú yǐng suí xíng, méi yǒu fù chū jiù bú huì yǒu shōu huò.
Success and effort are inseparable — without effort, there will be no reward.
如影随形，。
Zhè liǎng gè wèn tí rú yǐng suí xíng, bì xū tóng shí jiě jué.
These two problems are closely linked and must be solved together.
，如影随形。
Zài lì shǐ shàng, zhàn zhēng yǔ jí bìng cháng cháng rú yǐng suí xíng.
In history, war and disease often go hand in hand.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

如影like a shadow

如rúlike影yǐngshadow

动宾Verb + object

随形follow the body

随suífollow形xíngbody

动宾Verb + object

如影, like a shadow, and 随形, following the body, together mean inseparable.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

女口如

Meaning part形符xíngfú

口口kǒumouth

Sound part声符shēngfú

女

女nǚ如rú

Same sound today

如 is built from 口 (mouth) for its meaning and 女 (woman) for its sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

景彡影

Meaning part形符xíngfú

彡彡shān

Sound part声符shēngfú

景

景jǐng影yǐng

Same sound today

影 pairs 景, which gives the sound and also carries the idea of image, with 彡, the part that points to shadow.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 隨; 随 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

辵辵chuòwalking

Sound part声符shēngfú

𡐦

𡐦𡐦隨suí

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 隨 pairs 辵 (walking) with 𡐦 (the sound part); the simplified 随 is a later shorthand.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

彡彡shān

Sound part声符shēngfú

井

井jǐng形xíng

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

形 is made from 彡 and 井, with 井 providing the sound.

Appears in

Idioms & Set Phrases

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.