📖 Meaning
Being skilled at making friends and getting along with others. It describes someone who has a natural talent for building and maintaining interpersonal relationships. Confucius noted that such friendships endure and deepen with mutual respect over time.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Analects, in the chapter 'Gongye Chang,' where Confucius praised Yan Pingzhong (晏平仲), a prime minister of the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn Period. Confucius said, 'Yan Pingzhong is good at befriending others; the longer people know him, the more they respect him.' This highlights the enduring quality of genuine friendship built on mutual respect and sincerity.
💡 Example Usage
他性情温和，善与人交，无论走到哪里都能很快结交到朋友。
Mild-tempered and good at making friends, he can quickly befriend people wherever he goes.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 善与人交
- Pinyin: shàn yǔ rén jiāo
- Literal Translation: good at, with, people, associate
- Category: Communication
- Characters: 4