形影不离

xíng yǐng bù lí

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Uncommon

Definitions

1. inseparable (as form and shadow)

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 形单影只 xíng dān yǐng zhī 形单影只 xíng dān yǐng zhī (idiom) lonely soul; solitary 形容孤独一人，没有伴侣: (idiom) lonely soul; solitary

Related words

2 items

• 难舍难分 nán shě nán fēn 难舍难分 nán shě nán fēn loath to part (idiom); emotionally close and unwilling to separate 形容感情很好，不愿分离: loath to part (idiom); emotionally close and unwilling to separate
• 寸步不离 cùn bù bù lí 寸步不离 cùn bù bù lí to follow sb closely (idiom) 形容紧紧跟随，一步也不离开: to follow sb closely (idiom)

Synonyms

1 item

• 如胶似漆 rú jiāo sì qī 如胶似漆 rú jiāo sì qī stuck together as by glue (of lovers) 用于形容感情深厚，关系密切，不可分离: stuck together as by glue (of lovers)

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Learners sometimes mistakenly use 形影不离 for physical inseparability of objects; it is typically used for close emotional bonds between people.

Example Sentences

1 shown

他们两个 形影不离 ，是好朋友。

The two of them are inseparable, they are good friends.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 形影不离

• 不 不 bù: no; not so
• 形 形 xíng: to appear
• 离 离 chī: mythical beast (archaic)
• 离 离 lí: to leave
• 影 影 yǐng: picture