tung4 zau1 gung6 zai3同舟共濟同舟共济
Jyutpingtung4 zau1 gung6 zai3
Yaletùhng jāu guhng jai
Definition
To pull together in times of trouble; to help each other overcome difficulties.
neutralpeople
How it's used
This is a formal idiom rooted in classical Chinese literature that carries a strong sense of collective responsibility and solidarity. While it is often used in political speeches or news reports to encourage unity during crises, it can sound overly dramatic or stiff in casual, everyday conversation. It is best reserved for serious discussions about overcoming significant shared challenges.
Examples
We should pull together when we encounter difficulties.
These times are so tough, how can we pull together?
Related words
Common phrases
to share weal and woe
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
