seon4 ci2 soeng1 ji1唇齒相依唇齿相依

Jyutpingseon4 ci2 soeng1 ji1

Yalesèuhn chí sēung yī

語句

Definition

Interdependent and closely related, like lips and teeth.

writtenpeopleother

How it's used

This idiom is primarily used in formal or literary contexts to describe a symbiotic relationship where the survival of one party is tied to the other. It is rarely used in casual, everyday small talk, as it carries a weight of political or strategic significance. When used, it often implies that a separation or conflict would be mutually destructive.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋loeng5兩gaan1間gung1公si1司seon4唇ci2齒soeng1相ji1依，hou2好naan4難fan1分hoi1開。

Those two companies are deeply interdependent and hard to separate.

loeng5兩dei6地ging1經zai3濟seon4唇ci2齒soeng1相ji1依，dim2點joeng2樣ho2可ji5以m4唔lei5理aa4呀？

The two regions' economies are interdependent, how can one ignore it?

Common phrases

ging1經zai3濟seon4唇ci2齒soeng1相ji1依

economically interdependent

seon4唇ci2齒soeng1相ji1依ge3嘅gwaan1關hai6係

a relationship of interdependence

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use this to describe simple friendships or casual relationships, but it is too heavy for that. It is best reserved for describing entities like businesses, nations, or critical partners whose interests are inextricably linked.