← IDIOMS · FRIENDSHIP
HSK 6
yí一onejiàn见seerú如likegù故old
Feel like old friends at first meeting — instant rapport.

Literal meaning

one (一) — see (见) — like (如) — old (故)

Origin

A classical phrase originally from the Tang-dynasty Book of Tang, describing strangers who hit it off as though they'd known each other for years. The structure parallels 一见钟情 (love at first sight) but for friendship.

Examples

Wǒ我men们yí一jiàn见rú如gù故,liáo聊le了yì一zhěng整wǎn晚。
We hit it off instantly — talked the whole evening.
Tā他hé和wǒ我fù父qīn亲yí一jiàn见rú如gù故。
He and my father clicked immediately.

Usage & nuances

Warm, casual. Works for any platonic first-meeting chemistry.

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