xíng形formyǐng影shadowbù不notlí离separate
Inseparable as form and shadow; always together.
Literal meaning
form (形) — shadow (影) — not (不) — separate (离)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing a close relationship.
Examples
tāmen liǎ xíngyǐng-bùlí, gǎnqíng fēicháng hǎo.他们俩形影不离，感情非常好。
The two of them are inseparable and have a very good relationship.
zìcóng nà cì shìgù hòu, tāmen liǎ jiù xíngyǐng-bùlí le.自从那次事故后，他们俩就形影不离了。
Ever since that accident, the two of them have been inseparable.
Usage & nuances
Describes a very close relationship between two people or things.
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