apparently severed but actually still connected; lingering affection
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
(lit.) lotus root may break, but its fibers remain joined; (fig.) seemingly severed but actually still connected; lingering emotional ties
literaryUsed primarily to describe romantic relationships where a couple has broken up but still has feelings for each other. Can also be used more broadly for any two parties that have officially ended a connection but maintain subtle, lingering links.
Tā他
men们
fēn分
shǒu手
yī一
nián年
le了
，
dàn但
hái还
shì是
ǒu藕
duàn断
sī丝
lián连
。
They broke up a year ago, but they still have lingering feelings for each other.
Zhè这
liǎng两
jiā家
gōng公
sī司
suī虽
rán然
jié结
shù束
le了
hé合
zuò作
，
dàn但
yè业
wù务
shàng上
yī依
rán然
ǒu藕
duàn断
sī丝
lián连
。
Although these two companies have ended their partnership, they are still connected in business.
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Jiù旧
qíng情
nán难
wàng忘
，
tā他
hé和
qián前
rèn任
zǒng总
yǒu有
xiē些
ǒu藕
duàn断
sī丝
lián连
。
Old feelings are hard to forget; he and his ex always have some lingering connection.
Yǔ与
qí其
zhè这
yàng样
ǒu藕
duàn断
sī丝
lián连
，
bù不
rú如
chè彻
dǐ底
yī一
dāo刀
liǎng两
duàn断
。
Rather than having this half-severed connection, it's better to make a clean break.