Definition
相依为命 is a four-character idiom (成语) that describes two or more people depending on each other for survival, especially in difficult circumstances. The literal image is 'relying on each other as though that were their life.' You use it to emphasize a deep, mutual reliance where neither person could survive alone — often for family members or close partners facing hardship together.
f.e.
to depend on each other for survivalto be each other's lifeline (of two or more people in dire circumstances)
Examples
- ，相依为命。Nǎinai qùshì hòu, yéye hé nà zhī lǎo māo xiāng yī wèi mìng.After grandmother passed away, grandfather and that old cat depended on each other for survival.
- 相依为命，。Zhè duì mǔnǚ zài zhànluàn zhōng xiāng yī wèi mìng, zhōngyú děng lái le hépíng.This mother and daughter depended on each other for survival through the war and finally saw peace.
- ，相依为命。Tāmen xiōngdì liǎ cóngxiǎo shīqù fùmǔ, zhǐ néng xiāng yī wèi mìng.The two brothers lost their parents as children and had to depend on each other for survival.
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