萍水相逢 (píng shuǐ xiāng féng) — (idiom) to meet by chance like drifting duckweed; a fortuitous encounter between strangers

Definition

Literary chengyu for strangers who meet by chance — a fleeting, casual encounter with no prior relationship. Carries a touch of romantic fate; not for planned meetings or repeated contact.

idiom
to meet by chance like drifting duckweeda fortuitous encounter between strangers

Examples

  • 萍水相逢
    Wǒ men suī rán zhǐ shì píng shuǐ xiāng féng, dàn nà cì tán huà ràng wǒ yìn xiàng shēn kè.
    Although we only met by chance, that conversation left a deep impression on me.
  • 萍水相逢
    Zài huǒ chē shàng, wǒ hé yí wèi lǎo rén píng shuǐ xiāng féng, liáo le yí lù.
    On the train, I met an old man by chance and we chatted the whole way.
  • 萍水相逢
    píng shuǐ xiāng féng De yuán fèn, yǒu shí bǐ zhāo xī xiāng chǔ gèng lìng rén zhēn xī.
    The fate of a chance encounter is sometimes more cherished than daily companionship.

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