天涯若比鄰
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Chinese[edit]
far corners of the world; distant lands | to seem; like; as to seem; like; as; if |
neighbor; vicinage | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
trad. (天涯若比鄰/天涯若比隣) | 天涯 | 若 | 比鄰/比隣 | |
simp. (天涯若比邻) | 天涯 | 若 | 比邻 |
Etymology[edit]
Literally: the far ends of heaven are like next door.
- 城闕輔三秦,風煙望五津。與君離別意,同是宦游人。海內存知己,天涯若比鄰。無為在歧路,兒女共沾巾。 [MSC, trad.]
- From: c. 647 – 675: Wang Bo, 《送杜少府之任蜀州》 (Seeing off Vice-prefect Du on the occasion of his appointment to the state of Shu)
- Chéngquè fǔ sānqín, fēngyān wàng wǔjīn. Yǔ jūn líbié yì, tóng shì huàn yóu rén. Hǎinèi cún zhījǐ, tiānyá ruò bǐlín. Wúwèi zài qílù, érnǚ gòng zhān jīn. [Pinyin]
- The watch towers are protected by the three Qin states, I can make out the land of the five crossings in the distance. My mood (is somber) as I part from you, We are both officials traveling (far from home). When one has a close friend in this world, the far ends of heaven are like next door. (Therefore, when we reach the) fork in the road (where we must part), let us not exchange kerchiefs moistened (with tears like) women and children.
城阙辅三秦,风烟望五津。与君离别意,同是宦游人。海内存知己,天涯若比邻。无为在歧路,儿女共沾巾。 [MSC, simp.]
Pronunciation[edit]
Idiom[edit]
天涯若比鄰
Usage notes[edit]
This phrase is often used when talking about the Internet, long-distance phones etc.
Derived terms[edit]
- 海內存知己,天涯若比鄰/海内存知己,天涯若比邻 (hǎinèi cún zhījǐ, tiānyá ruò bǐlín)