耳鬓厮磨

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: ěr bìn sī mó
• English Translation: Ears and temples rubbing together (being intimately close)
• Idiom Composition: 「耳」（Ear）＋「鬓」（Temples (the hair on the sides of the face)）＋「厮」（Mutually or together）＋「磨」（To rub or touch against）
• Meaning: A state where people are so close that their ears and the hair on their temples touch. It describes the deep intimacy of childhood sweethearts growing up together or the tender, constant companionship of lovers.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「耳鬓厮磨」 contains the following nuances:

• Physical and Emotional Proximity: While it literally refers to physical contact, it figuratively emphasizes the psychological intimacy of having shared a long history together.
• Childhood Companionship: It is frequently paired with the phrase 从小 (cóng xiǎo), meaning 'since childhood,' to describe the inseparable nature of childhood friends.
• Romantic Nuance: The term carries a warmer, more romantic undertone than simple friendship, often evoking the sweet, private moments between a couple.

3. Usage

「耳鬓厮磨」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Childhood Sweethearts: Used to describe the inseparable bond of people who have grown up together since they were very young.
  • Example:「他们俩从小耳鬓厮磨，一起长大，感情非常深厚。」
    （The two of them have been intimately close since childhood, and their bond is incredibly deep.）
• Romantic Intimacy: Used to depict lovers spending sweet, private time in close proximity.
  • Example:「这对恋人整天耳鬓厮磨，一刻也不愿意分开。」
    （This couple is constantly together in tender intimacy all day long, never wanting to be apart for a second.）
• Metaphorical Immersion: A literary personification used to describe being deeply involved or 'close' to an object or hobby, such as books.
  • Example:「他整日与书本耳鬓厮磨，沉浸在知识的海洋里。」
    （He spends his days deeply immersed in his books, soaking in the sea of knowledge.）

Additional Examples:

1. 回想起当年我们耳鬓厮磨的日子，真是让人怀念。
   （Recalling those days when we were intimately close, I feel truly nostalgic.）
2. 虽然他们没有结婚，但多年的耳鬓厮磨早已让他们如同家人一般。
   （Though not married, years of living in close companionship have made them like family.）
3. 那种耳鬓厮磨的纯真爱情，在现代社会似乎越来越少见了。
   （That kind of pure and intimate love seems increasingly rare in modern society.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• This idiom appears in classic literature such as the Qing Dynasty novel Dream of the Red Chamber (红楼梦) and Shen Fu's (沈复) Six Records of a Floating Life (浮生六记). In Dream of the Red Chamber (红楼梦), it is used to describe the close-knit upbringing of Jia Baoyu (贾宝玉) and his companions.
• While the phrase 厮磨 (sī mó), meaning 'rubbing against each other,' might sound literal, it is a beautiful and positive expression. It prioritizes the spiritual closeness and the accumulation of shared time over purely physical connotations.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 青梅竹马 (qīng méi zhú mǎ): Green plums and a bamboo horse; refers to a man and woman who were childhood playmates.
  • 两小无猜 (liǎng xiǎo wú cāi): Two children without suspicion; describes the innocent and close relationship between a young boy and girl.
  • 形影不离 (xíng yǐng bù lí): To be inseparable, always together.link
  • 朝夕相处 (zhāo xī xiāng chǔ): To be together from morning till night.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 天各一方 (tiān gè yī fāng): Separated at opposite ends of the world; being far apart from each other.
  • 视同陌路 (shì tóng mò lù): To treat someone like a complete stranger, despite knowing them.link
  • 敬而远之 (jìng ér yuǎn zhī): To show respect but keep a distance.link

6. Summary

耳鬓厮磨 (ěr bìn sī mó) literally describes ears and temples rubbing against each other, symbolizing extreme physical and emotional proximity. It is a poetic way to describe the bond of those who have grown up together or lovers who spend every moment in each other's company. It emphasizes a deep, long-term connection built on shared time and mutual affection.