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相依为命

相依為命
xiāngyī-wéimìng
idiom HSK 7-9 #20,858

Meanings

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

Characters

相
xiāng
mutually
依
yī
rely on; depend on
为
wéi
as; for
命
mìng
life; fate
Literally 'mutually depend on each other as life itself'

Examples

母子俩相依为命。
Mǔzǐ liǎ xiāngyīwéimìng.
The mother and son depend on each other for survival.
她从小跟奶奶相依为命。
Tā cóngxiǎo gēn nǎinai xiāngyīwéimìng.
She has depended on her grandmother since childhood.
在困难时期，他们相依为命。
Zài kùnnán shíqī, tāmen xiāngyīwéimìng.
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