相得益彰

xiāngdéyìzhāng
idiom #60,018

Meanings

  1. 1 to complement each other perfectly (idiom)
  2. 2 to bring out the best in one another
  3. 3 mutually enhancing

Examples

Zhè liǎng wèi yǎnyuán de fēnggé xiāngdéyìzhāng.
The two actors' styles complement each other perfectly.
Hóngjiǔ hé niúpái xiāngdéyìzhāng.
Red wine and steak bring out the best in each other.
Tú wén xiāngdéyìzhāng, zhè běn shū hěn zhídé yī dú.
The pictures and text complement each other perfectly — the book is well worth reading.

Tips

usage
Always positive — the two things pair well and amplify each other's strengths. Contrast with 相辅相成 which stresses interdependence rather than enhancement.
history
Rooted in 《·》: — Boyi and Shuqi were worthy, but their fame grew brighter because Confucius praised them. The idea: partnering with the right counterpart makes each shine more.

Stroke Order

xiāng
zhāng