waan6 naan6 gin3 zan1 cing4患難見真情患难见真情
Jyutpingwaan6 naan6 gin3 zan1 cing4
Yalewaahn naahn gin jān chìhng
Definition
True friendship is shown in times of adversity; genuine relationships survive hardships.
neutralpeopleemotion
How it's used
This idiom is often used to describe the strengthening of a bond after overcoming a shared crisis or period of adversity. It carries a positive, reflective tone and is frequently used to praise someone who stayed loyal when things were difficult. It is more common in serious or sentimental contexts rather than casual small talk.
Examples
They have been through so much, it really shows that true friendship stands the test of time.
Do you think this relationship can withstand the test of hardship?
Related words
Common phrases
a true test of friendship
Common mistake
Learners sometimes mistake this for a simple description of a bad situation, but it specifically focuses on the revelation of loyalty or love during such times. It is not used to describe the hardship itself, but rather the quality of the relationship that emerges from it.
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.
