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相依為命

简相依为命 · 繁相依為命

Mandarin · pinyin xiāng yī wéi mìng

mutually dependent for life (idiom); to rely upon one another for survival
interdependent

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Characters in this entry

相: xiāng · mutual, reciprocal, each other
依: yī · rely on, be set in; consent, obey a wish
為: Look up this written character
命: mìng · life; destiny, fate, luck; an order, instruction
为: wèi · do, handle, govern, act; be

Written characters and their own readings; the entry’s pronunciation is shown above.

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Mandarin tones

1–1–2–4 · xiang1 yi1 wei2 ming4

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Read this spelling in Classical texts

Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.

相依為命 · find source passages ↗ · 相依为命 · find source passages ↗

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Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section

Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.

phrase

(idiomatic) to depend on each other for survival; to rely on one another for life

Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history

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