tóng同samezhōu舟boatgòng共togetherjì济cross
To cross a river in the same boat; to be in the same boat; to stick together in difficulties; to share weal and woe.
Literal meaning
same (同) — boat (舟) — together (共) — cross (济)
Origin
From *Sunzi's Art of War*. Describes the necessity of cooperation in times of crisis.
Examples
Xiàn现zài在wǒ我men们tóng同zhōu舟gòng共jì济，yī一dìng定yào要kè克fú服kùn困nan难。
Now we are in the same boat, we must overcome the difficulties together.
Zài在jīng经jì济wēi危jī机zhōng中，dà大jiā家yào要tóng同zhōu舟gòng共jì济。
In an economic crisis, everyone needs to stick together.
Usage & nuances
Emphasizes the importance of unity and cooperation in the face of adversity.
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