情谊

• Pinyin: qíng yì
• Hanzi breakdown: 情 = 忄+ 青 (feeling); 谊 = 讠+ 宜 (friendship/appropriate goodwill)

Meaning

Friendship; affection; the deep emotional bond of mutual care, loyalty, and warmth between people. Implies a connection built over shared experience and time.

More formal and literary than 友情. Appears in toasts, speeches, and official expressions of gratitude. 深厚的情谊 (profound friendship), 战友情谊 (comradeship), 国际情谊 (international friendship). Implies mutual respect and genuine care beyond mere acquaintance.

Examples

1. 两位老战友虽已分别数十年，那段并肩作战结下的情谊始终历久弥新、从未淡去。 Though the two old comrades-in-arms have been apart for decades, the bond forged shoulder to shoulder in battle has remained as strong as ever.
2. 她在海外求学期间与几位来自不同国家的同学结下了深厚的跨国情谊。 While studying abroad, she formed deep friendships with classmates from different countries.
3. 这份超越血脉的情谊，是他们多年来风雨同舟、彼此扶持共同铸就的宝贵财富。 This bond that goes beyond blood ties is a precious treasure they built over many years of weathering storms together and supporting each other.

Usage Guide

Context: friendship, diplomacy, military, social

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 多年来两国人民共同书写的情谊，是任何外部压力都难以割裂的坚实纽带。(The friendship that the people of both countries have cultivated together over the years is a solid bond that no external pressure can sever.)
• 举杯之际，他动情地回顾了与老友数十年如一日的深厚情谊，令在场宾客无不动容。(As he raised his glass, he recounted with emotion the profound friendship of many decades with his old friend, moving every guest in the room.)

Don't Say

• 我与同事之间有情谊才合作 — use 良好的合作关系 or 默契 for professional partnerships; 情谊 implies deep personal emotional bonds, not merely functional collegial relations

Origin & History

情 (feeling/emotion) + 谊 (friendship/goodwill) — the feeling of goodwill between people

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal