和衷共济

和衷共濟

hézhōng-gòngjì

idiom

Meanings

1 to work together with one heart
2 to pull together through difficulty
3 united in common cause

Characters

harmonious; united

inner heart; sincere

together; jointly

to cross (a river); to aid

Examples

HSK 7-9

面对困难，我们必须和衷共济，共渡难关。

Miànduì kùnnán, wǒmen bìxū hézhōng-gòngjì, gòng dù nánguān.

Facing difficulty, we must pull together as one and get through it together.

HSK 7-9

全体员工和衷共济，公司才能转危为安。

Quántǐ yuángōng hézhōng-gòngjì, gōngsī cáinéng zhuǎnwēi-wéi'ān.

Only when all employees work together with one heart can the company turn danger into safety.

Tips

history

Fuses two classical sources: 《尚书·皋陶谟》同寅协恭和衷哉 (officials united in heart and reverence) and 《国语·鲁语下》苦匏不材于人，共济而已 (the bitter gourd is useless to people except to help cross a river). The image is crew rowing together.

usage

Strongly positive, formal. Used in speeches, editorials, and corporate communications, especially during crises.

Stroke Order

和 hé

衷 zhōng

共 gòng

济 jì