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

面对困难，我们必须和衷共济，共渡难关。

Miànduì kùnnán, wǒmen bìxū hézhōnggòngjì, gòng dù nánguān.

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

全体员工和衷共济，公司才能转危为安。

Quántǐ yuángōng hézhōnggòngjì, gōngsī cáinéng zhuǎnwēiwéi'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