sang1 sei2 zi1 gaau1生死之交

Jyutpingsang1 sei2 zi1 gaau1

Yalesāng séi jī gāau

名詞

Definition

Friends with such deep friendship that they are prepared to die for each other; friends through life and death.

neutralpeopleemotion

How it's used

This idiom carries a heavy, dramatic weight that is rarely used in casual, everyday small talk. It is typically reserved for describing long-term, intense bonds where individuals have proven their loyalty through extreme hardship or danger. Using it to describe a casual acquaintance will sound overly theatrical or sarcastic.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋loeng5兩go3個sai3細sai3細go3個zau6就sik1識，zyut6絕deoi3對hai6係sang1生sei2死zi1之gaau1交。

They have known each other since they were little; they are definitely friends through life and death.

nei5你tung4同keoi5佢zan1真hai6係sang1生sei2死zi1之gaau1交lai2嚟㗎？

Are you really friends through life and death with him?

Common phrases

git3結wai4為sang1生sei2死zi1之gaau1交

to become friends through life and death

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a common term for best friends, but it implies a level of sacrifice that goes far beyond typical social companionship. Avoid using it for regular friends or colleagues, as it sounds like a line from a period drama or a wuxia novel.