Friendship is a treasured part of life, and in Chinese culture (文化, wén huà), there are countless idioms (成语, chéng yǔ) that capture the depth, loyalty, and joy of having friends.
These idioms are often poetic and rooted in ancient stories, making them a perfect tool for learners to enrich their Mandarin and connect with Chinese values. Understanding friendship idioms not only improves your language skills but also helps you express gratitude, support, and camaraderie naturally in conversations.
In this post, we explore 10 Chinese idioms about friendship, practical sentences, and useful vocabulary you can use every day with classmates, colleagues (同事, tóng shì), or long-time friends (朋友, péng yǒu).
Why Friendship Idioms Are Important
Friendship is central to both personal and professional life in China. Idioms about friendship are commonly used in greetings, letters (信件, xìn jiàn), social media posts, and everyday conversations. Using them correctly shows respect for relationships and helps you convey warmth, loyalty, and understanding.
Many of these idioms also carry subtle moral lessons about trust, loyalty, and support, reflecting the Confucian emphasis on relationships (关系, guān xì) and harmony (和谐, hé xié).
1. 患难见真情 (huàn nàn jiàn zhēn qíng) – True Friendship Shows in Adversity
This idiom highlights that real friends are revealed during difficult times.
Example sentences
他生病的时候，老朋友来照顾他，真是患难见真情。
tā shēng bìng de shí hòu, lǎo péng yǒu lái zhào gù tā, zhēn shì huàn nàn jiàn zhēn qíng
When he was sick, his old friends came to take care of him; truly, friendship shows in adversity.
在工作中，有困难的同事会帮你，患难见真情。
zài gōng zuò zhōng, yǒu kùn nán de tóng shì huì bāng nǐ, huàn nàn jiàn zhēn qíng
In work, colleagues who help during tough times reveal true friendship.
2. 交心 (jiāo xīn) – Heart-to-Heart Friendship
This phrase emphasizes developing a deep, sincere connection.
Example sentences
我们两个聊了很多心事，终于交心了。
wǒ men liǎng gè liáo le hěn duō xīn shì, zhōng yú jiāo xīn le
We shared many secrets and finally connected heart-to-heart.
朋友之间应该交心，而不是只谈表面的话题。
péng yǒu zhī jiān yīng gāi jiāo xīn, ér bù shì zhǐ tán biǎo miàn de huà tí
Friends should connect sincerely, not just talk about superficial topics.
3. 肝胆相照 (gān dǎn xiāng zhào) – Mutual Loyalty and Sincerity
This idiom literally means “to share liver and gall,” symbolizing total trust and loyalty.
Example sentences
他们是从小一起长大的朋友，肝胆相照。
tā men shì cóng xiǎo yì qǐ zhǎng dà de péng yǒu, gān dǎn xiāng zhào
They have been friends since childhood and are totally loyal to each other.
在合作中，伙伴们需要肝胆相照，才能共创成功。
zài hé zuò zhōng, huǒ bàn men xū yào gān dǎn xiāng zhào, cái néng gòng chuàng chéng gōng
In cooperation, partners need mutual loyalty to achieve success together.
4. 志同道合 (zhì tóng dào hé) – Like-Minded Friends
This idiom describes friends who share the same ideals, goals, or values.
Example sentences
他们志同道合，经常一起讨论学习方法。
tā men zhì tóng dào hé, jīng cháng yì qǐ tǎo lùn xué xí fāng fǎ
They are like-minded and often discuss study methods together.
和志同道合的人交朋友，会让生活更愉快。
hé zhì tóng dào hé de rén jiāo péng yǒu, huì ràng shēng huó gèng yú kuài
Making friends with like-minded people makes life more enjoyable.
5. 患难之交 (huàn nàn zhī jiāo) – Friends in Difficult Times
Similar to 患难见真情, this idiom emphasizes friendship forged in adversity.
Example sentences
他是我患难之交，一直支持我。
tā shì wǒ huàn nàn zhī jiāo, yì zhí zhī chí wǒ
He is a friend I can rely on in hard times; he has always supported me.
人生中能有几个患难之交，非常珍贵。
rén shēng zhōng néng yǒu jǐ gè huàn nàn zhī jiāo, fēi cháng zhēn guì
Having a few friends who stand by you in adversity is truly precious.
6. 推心置腹 (tuī xīn zhì fù) – Speak Honestly and Openly
This idiom is about sharing thoughts honestly with a friend.
Example sentences
他对我推心置腹，说出了所有烦恼。
tā duì wǒ tuī xīn zhì fù, shuō chū le suǒ yǒu fán nǎo
He spoke openly to me and shared all his worries.
朋友之间应该推心置腹，互相理解。
péng yǒu zhī jiān yīng gāi tuī xīn zhì fù, hù xiāng lǐ jiě
Friends should speak openly and understand each other.
7. 肝胆相照，荣辱与共 (gān dǎn xiāng zhào, róng rǔ yǔ gòng) – Share Joys and Sorrows
This idiom emphasizes total loyalty and sharing both happiness and difficulties.
Example sentences
他们是生意伙伴，肝胆相照，荣辱与共。
tā men shì shēng yì huǒ bàn, gān dǎn xiāng zhào, róng rǔ yǔ gòng
They are business partners, loyal and sharing both joy and hardship.
真正的朋友会荣辱与共。
zhēn zhèng de péng yǒu huì róng rǔ yǔ gòng
True friends share both joys and sorrows.
8. 同甘共苦 (tóng gān gòng kǔ) – Share Sweet and Bitter Times
This idiom highlights enduring friendship through both happiness and difficulties.
Example sentences
他们同甘共苦多年，关系非常深厚。
tā men tóng gān gòng kǔ duō nián, guān xì fēi cháng shēn hòu
They have shared good and bad times for many years and have a deep bond.
在创业过程中，伙伴们必须同甘共苦。
zài chuàng yè guò chéng zhōng, huǒ bàn men bì xū tóng gān gòng kǔ
During entrepreneurship, partners must share joys and hardships.
9. 患难与共 (huàn nàn yǔ gòng) – Stand Together in Hardship
This idiom is often used to describe strong support during challenges.
Example sentences
在考试前，我们患难与共，互相帮助。
zài kǎo shì qián, wǒ men huàn nàn yǔ gòng, hù xiāng bāng zhù
Before the exam, we supported each other through difficulties.
朋友患难与共，才是真正的友情。
péng yǒu huàn nàn yǔ gòng, cái shì zhēn zhèng de yǒu qíng
Friends who stand together in hardship represent true friendship.
10. 海誓山盟 (hǎi shì shān méng) – Vows of Eternal Friendship or Love
Although often used for love, this idiom can also describe unbreakable promises of friendship.
Example sentences
他们从小立下海誓山盟，一直是好朋友。
tā men cóng xiǎo lì xià hǎi shì shān méng, yì zhí shì hǎo péng yǒu
They made lifelong promises since childhood and have always been good friends.
朋友之间也可以有海誓山盟，互相支持。
péng yǒu zhī jiān yě kě yǐ yǒu hǎi shì shān méng, hù xiāng zhī chí
Friends can also make unbreakable vows and support each other.
Using Friendship Idioms in Daily Life
You can use these idioms in conversations with classmates, colleagues, or friends to express gratitude, admiration, or emotional support. For instance, when a friend helps you during a stressful situation, you can say 患难见真情 (huàn nàn jiàn zhēn qíng) to acknowledge their loyalty. In messages or letters, phrases like 推心置腹 (tuī xīn zhì fù) and 肝胆相照 (gān dǎn xiāng zhào) add sincerity and warmth to your words.
By practicing these idioms, you will gradually sound more natural and culturally aware, making your Mandarin richer and more expressive.
Vocabulary
- 朋友 (péng yǒu) – friend
- 同事 (tóng shì) – colleague
- 支持 (zhī chí) – support
- 关系 (guān xì) – relationship
- 难关 (nán guān) – difficulty
- 忠诚 (zhōng chéng) – loyalty
- 感情 (gǎn qíng) – emotion/feelings
- 承诺 (chéng nuò) – promise
- 帮助 (bāng zhù) – help
- 珍贵 (zhēn guì) – precious
