📖 Meaning
The idiom refers to Fan Shi and Zhang Shao sharing a meal of chicken and millet together. It symbolizes a deep, sincere friendship grounded in mutual trust and the keeping of promises between friends.
📜 Origin Story
From the Book of Later Han (后汉书), Fan Shi (courtesy name Juqing) and Zhang Shao (courtesy name Yuanbo) of the Eastern Han dynasty became close friends. When they parted ways, they agreed on a specific date to reunite. When the appointed day arrived, Zhang Shao asked his mother to prepare a feast with chicken and millet, and true to his word Fan Shi arrived as promised. The story became a lasting emblem of faithful friendship and honoring one's commitments.
💡 Example Usage
他们相交数十年，情如范张鸡黍，从未失信于对方。
They have been friends for decades, their bond as deep as that of Fan and Zhang, never once betraying each other's trust.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 范张鸡黍
- Pinyin: fàn zhāng jī shǔ
- Literal Translation: Fan, Zhang, chicken, millet
- Category: Morality
- Characters: 4