相依为命

相依為命

xiāngyī-wéimìng

idiom #20,858

Meanings

1 to depend on each other for survival
2 to rely on each other through thick and thin

Characters

Literally 'mutually depend on each other as life itself'

Examples

HSK 2

她从小跟奶奶相依为命。

Tā cóngxiǎo gēn nǎinai xiāngyī-wéimìng.

She has depended on her grandmother since childhood.

HSK 4

母子俩相依为命。

Mǔzǐ liǎ xiāngyī-wéimìng.

The mother and son depend on each other for survival.

HSK 5

在困难时期，他们相依为命。

Zài kùnnán shíqī, tāmen xiāngyī-wéimìng.

During difficult times, they relied on each other for survival.

Tips

usage

相依为命 implies hardship - two people who only have each other, often after losing other family members. It carries emotional weight and sympathy.

memory

Depend on each other (相依) as if it were life itself (为命) - survival through mutual reliance.

Stroke Order

相 xiāng

依 yī

为 wéi

命 mìng