相濡以沫 (xiāng rú yǐ mò) — to help each other with meager resources when both are in dire straits; mutual aid through hardship
Definition
A literary chengyu for two people sustaining each other in hardship — literally 'moistening each other with foam', evoking fish trapped in a drying pond. Used for couples, friends, or any deep bond forged through shared suffering.
idiom
to help each other with meager resources when both are in dire straitsmutual aid through hardship
Examples
- 相濡以沫，。Fū qī èr rén zài zuì kùn nan de shí hou xiāng rú yǐ mò, zhōng yú áo guò lái le.The couple helped each other through the hardest times and finally made it through.
- ，相濡以沫。Tā men jǐ shí nián de gǎn qíng, shì zài huàn nàn zhōng xiāng rú yǐ mò jiàn lì qǐ lái 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 qíng yì, bǐ jīn qián gèng zhēn guì.The friendship between old friends who help each other in hard times is more precious than money.
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