📖 Meaning
Originally describing soldiers who shared their clothing and fought together against a common enemy. It metaphorically refers to close comradeship and solidarity, especially among military personnel or colleagues who share hardships. It can also denote the deep bond between friends who have weathered trials together.
📜 Origin Story
The idiom originates from the 'No Clothes' (无衣) poem in the 'Odes of Qin' section of the Classic of Poetry (诗经), compiled during the Zhou dynasty. The poem portrays soldiers of the state of Qin rallying together upon the king's call to arms, vowing to share even their garments—one lending an outer robe (袍), another an inner garment (泽)—and to sharpen their weapons side by side. It captures the martial camaraderie and shared resolve of soldiers facing a common foe, embodying the spirit of mutual sacrifice and collective determination that defined Qin's military culture.
💡 Example Usage
这些老兵同袍同泽，在战场上生死与共。
These veteran soldiers, bound as comrades in arms, shared life and death together on the battlefield.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 同袍同泽
- Pinyin: tóng páo tóng zé
- Literal Translation: same, outer robe, same, inner garment
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4