mutually dependent; closely interdependent
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
mutually dependent; closely interdependent; as close as cheek and jawbone
literaryLiterally, the cheek (辅) and the jawbone (车) are mutually dependent; one cannot function or exist without the other. Often used to describe alliances, partnerships, or geographical/strategic dependencies between two parties. The origin story references the states of Yu and Guo from the Spring and Autumn period, emphasizing their shared fate.
Zhè这
liǎng两
gè个
gōng公
sī司
zài在
gōng供
yīng应
liàn链
shang上
fǔ辅
chē车
xiāng相
yī依
，
yī一
jiā家
dǎo倒
bì闭
，
lìng另
yī一
jiā家
yě也
huì会
dà大
shòu受
yǐng影
xiǎng响
。
These two companies are mutually dependent in the supply chain; if one collapses, the other will be severely affected.
Jīng经
jì济
de的
jiàn健
kāng康
fā发
zhǎn展
yǔ与
shè社
huì会
de的
wěn稳
dìng定
shì是
fǔ辅
chē车
xiāng相
yī依
de的
。
Healthy economic development and social stability are closely interdependent.
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Zài在
gǔ古
dài代
，
zhè这
liǎng两
gè个
fān藩
guó国
chún唇
chǐ齿
xiāng相
yī依
、
fǔ辅
chē车
xiāng相
yī依
，
gòng共
tóng同
dǐ抵
yù御
wài外
dí敌
。
In ancient times, these two vassal states were as close as lips and teeth, and as interdependent as cheek and jawbone, jointly resisting foreign enemies.