盟友

• Pinyin: méng yǒu
• Hanzi breakdown: 盟 = 明 (bright/clear) + 皿 (vessel/dish) — covenant, alliance; 友 = two hands together — friend, companion

Meaning

Ally; allied partner. A person, group, or nation united with another through a formal or informal alliance for mutual benefit or shared goals.

Used in political, diplomatic, military, and personal contexts. In international relations it describes allied nations; in personal or organisational contexts it refers to supporters or partners with aligned interests. Implies a degree of mutual commitment and trust.

Examples

1. 两国在冷战期间结为盟友，共同对抗来自东方阵营的战略威胁。 During the Cold War, the two countries became allies and jointly confronted strategic threats from the Eastern Bloc.
2. 在公司内部的权力博弈中，她巧妙地争取到了几位关键部门主管成为她的盟友。 In the company’s internal power struggle, she skillfully won over several heads of key departments to become her allies.
3. 历史告诉我们，今日的盟友可能成为明日的对手，国家利益始终是外交关系的核心。 History tells us that today’s ally may become tomorrow’s opponent; national interest is always at the core of foreign relations.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, diplomacy, military, business

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 在这场贸易谈判中，我们需要争取更多盟友的支持，以增强我方的谈判筹码。(In these trade negotiations, we need to win the support of more allies to strengthen our bargaining position.)
• 该组织的瓦解始于盟友之间因利益分配不均而产生的深层矛盾与相互猜疑。(The collapse of the organisation began with deep contradictions and mutual suspicion among allies over unequal distribution of interests.)

Don't Say

• 将'盟友'用于形容普通朋友或同事 — 盟友含有明确的结盟意味，形容一般友好关系应用'朋友''同伴'或'伙伴' (Avoid using 盟友 for ordinary friends or colleagues — 盟友 implies a formal alliance; use 朋友, 同伴, or 伙伴 for general friendly relationships)

Origin & History

盟 = 明 (bright) + 皿 (vessel) — originally a blood covenant; 友 (friend, companion). Together: friend bound by alliance or covenant.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal