soeng1 ji1 wai4 ming6相依為命相依为命
Jyutpingsoeng1 ji1 wai4 ming6
Yalesēung yī wàih mihng
Definition
To depend on each other for survival and take care of one another.
neutralfamilypeople
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of emotional bond and shared hardship rather than just economic reliance. It is frequently used to describe family members or even pets who are each other's only support system in a difficult situation. The phrase implies a deep, often bittersweet, commitment to staying together through thick and thin.
Examples
The grandmother and grandson depend on each other for survival, life is very tough.
Ever since I moved here, my cat and I have been depending on each other for company.
Related words
Common phrases
mother and child depending on each other
a life of mutual dependence
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe simple business partnerships or casual roommates, as it implies a level of intimacy and existential necessity that would sound overly dramatic in those contexts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
