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Stories/Chinese folklore/When the Lips Are Gone, the Teeth Grow Cold
HSK 5 Chinese reading practice

唇亡齿寒

chún wáng chǐ hán

When the Lips Are Gone, the Teeth Grow Cold

A ruler accepts tempting gifts and ignores a warning that his neighbor is also his shield.

RECOMMENDEDHSK 5
READ5 min
HANZI311
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文化
CULTURE

What relationship does 唇亡齿寒 describe?

唇亡齿寒 comes from the Zuo Commentary. It describes two sides whose security or interests are so closely connected that harm to one will endanger the other.

Key vocabulary9 words from this story
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Answer three questions without looking at the English translation.

01晋国为什么向虞国借路？
02宫之奇把虞国和虢国比作什么？
03晋军灭掉虢国以后做了什么？
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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about 唇亡齿寒

What does 唇亡齿寒 mean in English?

唇亡齿寒 (chún wáng chǐ hán) literally means “when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold.” It describes two parties are so interdependent that harm to one endangers the other.

When is 唇亡齿寒 used?

Use 唇亡齿寒 (chún wáng chǐ hán) when the safety or interests of two sides are closely connected. For example: The small farms and the local market depend on each other; if either disappears, the other will suffer—唇亡齿寒.

What is the pinyin for 唇亡齿寒?

The pinyin pronunciation for 唇亡齿寒 is “chún wáng chǐ hán.”