称兄道弟

稱兄道弟
chēngxiōng-dàodì
idiom #27,210

Meanings

  1. 1 to address each other as brothers
  2. 2 to be on very friendly terms
  3. 3 to treat each other like sworn brothers

Examples

HSK 2
Tāmen gāng rènshi bùjiǔ, jiù yǐjīng chēngxiōng-dàodì le.
They had only just met but were already calling each other brother.
HSK 4
Zhè liǎng gè shāngrén chēngxiōng-dàodì, guānxi fēicháng mìqiē.
These two businessmen treat each other like brothers and have a very close relationship.

Tips

usage
称兄道弟 can be neutral (genuinely close friends) or slightly ironic (implying people who are suspiciously buddy-buddy, possibly for self-interest). Context determines the tone.
memory
= to address, = elder brother, = to speak of, = younger brother. They call each other 'brother' both ways, older and younger, showing total equality.

Stroke Order

chēng
xiōng
dào