形影不离

• Pinyin: xíng yǐng bù lí
• Hanzi breakdown: 形 = 开 + 彡 (form/shape); 影 = 景 + 彡 (shadow); 不 (not); 离 = 离 (separate/part)

Meaning

Inseparable; always together. Like a form and its shadow, the two cannot be parted.

A four-character idiom describing extremely close companionship. Typically used for people and occasionally for loyal animals. Carries a warm, positive connotation.

Examples

1. 这对好友自幼形影不离，成年后仍保持着深厚而真挚的友谊。 The two friends have been inseparable since childhood, and they’ve stayed deeply and genuinely close into adulthood.
2. 她与爱犬形影不离，无论外出散步还是居家休息，都将它带在身边。 She and her dog are inseparable—whether she’s out for a walk or relaxing at home, she keeps it by her side.
3. 两位老教授数十年来形影不离，携手完成了多部具有重要学术价值的著作。 The two senior professors have been inseparable for decades, working together to complete several works of major academic value.

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, friendship, narrative

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 这两个孩子从小形影不离，几乎每天都在一起嬉戏玩耍。(These two children have been inseparable since childhood, playing together almost every day.)
• 战友之间形影不离，在艰难岁月中彼此依靠，共同渡过了重重难关。(Comrades-in-arms were inseparable, relying on each other and overcoming countless difficulties together in hard times.)

Don't Say

• 工作与压力形影不离 — 形影不离 describes human or animal companionship; for abstract concepts use 密不可分 or 如影随形 is more poetic

Origin & History

形 (form/body) + 影 (shadow) + 不离 (not separated) — body and shadow are naturally inseparable

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal