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義結金蘭

简义结金兰 · 繁義結金蘭

Mandarin · pinyin yì jié jīn lán

to be close friends

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Characters in this entry

義: Look up this written character
結: jié · knot, tie; join, connect
金: jīn · gold; metals in general; money; Kangxi radical 167
蘭: Look up this written character
义: yì · right conduct, righteousness
结: jié · knot, tie; join, connect
兰: lán · orchid; elegant, graceful

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

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Mandarin tones

4–2–1–2 · yi4 jie2 jin1 lan2

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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.

義結金蘭 · find source passages ↗ · 义结金兰 · 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 become sworn brothers (or sisters); to adopt each other as sworn brothers; to become true confederates and blood brothers (forever); to enter into a masonic bond with each other; to swear eternal friendship; to take an oath of brotherhood; to be close friends

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

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