jǐngshuǐbùfànhéshuǐ

井水不犯河水

Word · Idiom

each keeps to their own domain; none shall encroach upon the other

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

1 sense · 4 examples
1.

idiom

to keep clear of each other; to mind one's own business; to stay out of each other's way

neutral

Used to describe a situation where two parties (individuals, groups, territories, or areas of responsibility) have clear boundaries and do not interfere with or encroach upon each other. Often implies a desire to avoid conflict by mutual non-interference.

Zán咱
men们
liǎng两
jiā家
gōng公
sī司
yè业
wù务
bù不
tóng同
 ,
jǐng井
shuǐ水
bù不
fàn犯
hé河
shuǐ水
 ,
méi没
bì必
yào要
è恶
xìng性
jìng竞
zhēng争
 。

Our two companies have different businesses; we should keep clear of each other and there's no need for cut-throat competition.

Tā他
men们
xiōng兄
dì弟
liǎ俩
zǎo早
yǐ已
fēn分
jiā家
 ,
yuē约
dìng定
jǐng井
shuǐ水
bù不
fàn犯
hé河
shuǐ水
 ,
gè各
guò过
gè各
de的
 。

The two brothers have long since divided the family property and agreed to stay out of each other's way, each living their own life.

Show 2 more examples
Zhè这
shì是
wǒ我
de的
sī私
rén人
kōng空
jiān间
 ,
nà那
shì是
nǐ你
de的
gōng工
zuò作
qū区
yù域
 ,
zán咱
men们
jǐng井
shuǐ水
bù不
fàn犯
hé河
shuǐ水
 。

This is my private space, that's your work area; let's just mind our own business.

Yú娱
lè乐
quān圈
lǐ里
 ,
yǒu有
xiē些
míng明
xīng星
kè刻
yì意
bǎo保
chí持
jù距
lí离
 ,
zūn遵
xún循
jǐng井
shuǐ水
bù不
fàn犯
hé河
shuǐ水
de的
yuán原
zé则
 。

In the entertainment industry, some celebrities deliberately keep their distance, adhering to the principle of not encroaching upon each other's territory.