waan6 naan6 zi1 gaau1患難之交患难之交
Jyutpingwaan6 naan6 zi1 gaau1
Yalewaahn naahn jī gāau
Definition
Friends who have gone through hardships together, or a friendship that has stood the test of adversity.
neutralpeople
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of loyalty and shared hardship that goes beyond casual friendship. It is typically reserved for people who have supported each other during significant life crises, such as financial ruin or serious illness. Using it for someone you just met or a casual acquaintance would sound overly dramatic or insincere.
Examples
They are friends through thick and thin, and their bond is very deep.
How did you find this friend who stuck by you through adversity?
Related words
Common phrases
to have shared hardships together
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general terms for friends like 朋友 or 好友, as it specifically implies that the bond was forged or proven during a difficult period. It is a formal idiom that is rarely used in casual, everyday small talk unless you are specifically reflecting on the depth of a relationship.
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.
