📖 Meaning
A friendship spanning generations, referring to the close relationship between fathers and sons across eras. It originates from the bond between Chen Ji and his son Chen Qun of the Wei state during the Three Kingdoms period. The idiom describes an enduring, multi-generational friendship between two families.
📜 Origin Story
During the Three Kingdoms period, Kong Rong of Lu state was a man of outstanding talent but proud demeanor. Being between the ages of Chen Ji and his son Chen Qun, Kong Rong first befriended the father Chen Ji, then later befriended the son Chen Qun. When Kong Rong bowed to Chen Qun, it demonstrated respect spanning two generations of the Chen family, and through this Kong Rong gained renown. The idiom thus came to symbolize a friendship that connects successive generations of a family.
💡 Example Usage
放心，我与他家是纪群之交，关系不比寻常。
Don't worry, my family and theirs have a friendship spanning generations—the relationship is far from ordinary.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 纪群之交
- Pinyin: jì qún zhī jiāo
- Literal Translation: Ji, Qun, of, friendship
- Category: Status
- Characters: 4