📖 Meaning
Holding hands at a river bridge, a poetic image of bidding farewell to a dear friend. It evokes the sorrow and reluctance of parting, especially between close companions. The phrase is used to describe a deeply emotional send-off.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from a poem by Li Ling of the Han Dynasty, titled 'To Su Wu.' Li Ling and Su Wu had been close friends held captive among the Xiongnu; when Su Wu was finally allowed to return to Han, Li Ling accompanied him to a river bridge to say goodbye. The poem reads, 'Hand in hand we climb the river bridge—where will the wanderer go at dusk?' capturing the anguish of an uncertain farewell between lifelong friends.
💡 Example Usage
老友河梁携手，依依不舍地话别。
Old friends held hands at the river bridge, reluctantly bidding each other farewell.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 河梁携手
- Pinyin: hé liáng xié shǒu
- Literal Translation: river, bridge, hold, hand
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4