一见如故

一見如故

yījiànrúgù

idiom #36,152

Meanings

1 to feel like old friends at first meeting
2 instant rapport; to click from the start

Characters

one; upon (+ verb)

old (friend); former acquaintance

Examples

我们一见如故，聊了整整一晚。

Wǒmen yī jiàn rú gù, liáo le zhěngzhěng yī wǎn.

We clicked instantly and talked the whole night.

他俩一见如故，成了多年的好朋友。

Tā liǎ yī jiàn rú gù, chéng le duōnián de hǎo péngyǒu.

The two of them hit it off at first sight and became close friends for years.

虽然是第一次见面，但我们一见如故。

Suīrán shì dì yī cì jiànmiàn, dàn wǒmen yī jiàn rú gù.

Though it was our first meeting, we felt like old friends.

Tips

history

Echoes 《左传·襄公二十九年》: '见子产，如旧相识' — 'meeting Zi Chan felt like meeting an old acquaintance.' The Song source 《贾氏谭录》 tells of Prime Minister Li Bi (李泌) meeting the poet Gu Kuang (顾况) and greeting him as if they'd known each other for years.

usage

Very warm and positive. Specifically for people, not things. Compare 一见钟情 (love at first sight) — same structure, romantic feelings; 一见如故 is about friendship-level instant connection, regardless of gender or relationship type.

Stroke Order

一 yī

见 jiàn

如 rú

故 gù