相敬如宾

相敬如賓

xiāngjìng-rúbīn

idiom #73,248

Meanings

1 to treat each other as honored guests
2 a married couple showing mutual respect
3 polite and respectful as if guests to one another

Characters

Examples

HSK 4

这对夫妻几十年相敬如宾。

Zhè duì fūqī jǐshí nián xiāngjìng-rúbīn.

This couple has treated each other with guest-like respect for decades.

HSK 7-9

他们相敬如宾，从不争吵。

Tāmen xiāngjìng-rúbīn, cóngbù zhēngchǎo.

They treat each other as honored guests and never quarrel.

HSK 7-9

婚姻不仅要相敬如宾，还要真诚相爱。

Hūnyīn bùjǐn yào xiāngjìng-rúbīn, háiyào zhēnchéng xiāng'ài.

Marriage needs not only mutual respect but also genuine love.

Tips

history

From 左传 (Xi Gong year 33): the Jin official Jiu Ji passes through Ji and sees Xi Que weeding while his wife brings him his meal - 敬, treating each other as guests. Jiu Ji recognizes his virtue and recommends him to the Jin court.

Stroke Order

相 xiāng

敬 jìng

如 rú

宾 bīn