同舟共济

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: tóng zhōu gòng jì
• English Translation: Crossing the river in the same boat (pulling together in times of trouble)
• Idiom Composition: 「同」（Same or together）＋「舟」（Boat or vessel）＋「共」（Together or jointly）＋「济」（To cross a river or to help/succor）
• Meaning: To help each other and work together to overcome difficulties when facing a common crisis or shared fate, just like people in the same boat crossing a river during a storm.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「同舟共济」 contains the following nuances:

• A Community of Shared Future: The metaphor of being in the 'same boat' strongly implies a shared fate; if the boat sinks, everyone on board is affected regardless of their individual status.
• Overcoming Hardship: The idiom does not just mean simple cooperation; it specifically implies the presence of a 'storm' or 'torrent' (a crisis) that necessitates collective effort to survive.
• Transcending Differences: Based on its historical origin, it suggests that even those who are usually rivals or have different interests should set aside their differences to cooperate during a common emergency.

3. Usage

「同舟共济」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• National or Social Crisis: Frequently used as a formal slogan to call for national unity during natural disasters, pandemics, or economic crises.
  • Example:「面对突如其来的地震，全国人民同舟共济，迅速展开了救援行动。」
    （In the face of the sudden earthquake, the entire nation pulled together in the same boat and quickly launched rescue operations.）
• Business and Organizations: Used when a company is facing financial difficulties or a critical project phase, urging employees to unite.
  • Example:「公司正处于转型期，希望大家同舟共济，共度难关。」
    （The company is currently in a transition period; I hope everyone will work together in unity to overcome these difficulties.）
• International Cooperation: Used in the context of global challenges like climate change or peacekeeping where nations must cooperate.
  • Example:「气候变化是全人类面临的挑战，各国必须同舟共济。」
    （Climate change is a challenge facing all of humanity, and all nations must join hands and help each other.）

Additional Examples:

1. 只要我们同舟共济，就没有克服不了的困难。
   （As long as we pull together in the same boat, there is no difficulty we cannot overcome.）
2. 在这场抗击疫情的战斗中，医护人员与民众同舟共济，守护着城市的安宁。
   （In this battle against the pandemic, medical workers and citizens have united as one to protect the peace of the city.）
3. 作为合作伙伴，我们应该同舟共济，而不是互相拆台。
   （As partners, we should help each other through thick and thin rather than undermining one another.）
4. 无论前方有多少风浪，我们都要同舟共济，驶向成功的彼岸。
   （No matter how many storms lie ahead, we must work together in unity to reach the shore of success.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• This idiom originates from the 'Nine Terrains' (九地) chapter of The Art of War (孙子兵法) by Sun Tzu (孙子). It describes how people from the rival states of Wu (吴) and Yue (越), when caught in a storm while crossing a river in the same boat, helped each other like a person's left and right hands.
• While the related idiom 吴越同舟 (wú yuè tóng zhōu) focuses on the irony of 'enemies being in the same place' or 'temporary cooperation between rivals,' 同舟共济 (tóng zhōu gòng jì) focuses on the positive, proactive act of 'uniting to overcome hardship.'
• In modern China, this phrase is a staple of political and social discourse, frequently appearing in official speeches and corporate mottos to symbolize the values of 'solidarity' and 'harmony' (和谐, hé xié).

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 患难与共 (huàn nàn yǔ gòng): To share trials and tribulations; to go through thick and thin together.
  • 风雨同舟 (fēng yǔ tóng zhōu): In the same boat through wind and rain; to stand together through adversity.
  • 齐心协力 (qí xīn xié lì): To work together with one heart and one mind.link
  • 众志成城 (zhòng zhì chéng chéng): Unity of will is like a strong fortress.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 分崩离析 (fēn bēng lí xī): To collapse and fall apart; to disintegrate (often used for nations or organizations).link
  • 貌合神离 (mào hé shén lí): Seemingly united but divided in spirit; to be together in appearance but have different hearts.
  • 袖手旁观 (xiù shǒu páng guān): To stand by with folded arms, doing nothing to help.link

6. Summary

同舟共济 (tóng zhōu gòng jì) describes a situation where people with shared interests unite to help one another through a crisis. It is a powerful, positive expression often used as a call for solidarity during natural disasters, organizational challenges, or global issues. While it shares an origin with the idiom 吴越同舟 (wú yuè tóng zhōu), this phrase focuses specifically on the act of 'cooperation' and 'mutual aid' rather than the rivalry between the parties.