朝夕相处

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: zhāo xī xiāng chǔ
• English Translation: To be together from morning till night, always together, spending all day long in each other's company
• Idiom Composition: 「朝」（morning）＋「夕」（evening）＋「相」（mutually, together）＋「处」（to be, to spend (time)）
• Meaning: To spend time together from morning till night. It expresses spending the whole day or a long period together, indicating a very close relationship.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「朝夕相处」 contains the following nuances:

• Length of time: Simply indicates a long duration of being together.
• Closeness of relationship: Implies a deep bond and intimate relationship built through spending extended time together.
• Everyday interaction: Describes naturally sharing time in daily life rather than during special occasions.
• Deep understanding: Suggests a deep mutual understanding developed from spending a long time together.

3. Usage

「朝夕相处」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Interpersonal relationships: Used to describe relationships among close people such as family, lovers, or close friends.
  • Example:「他们夫妻二人朝夕相处，感情非常深厚。」
    （The couple spends all day together and shares a very deep affection.）
• Work and study: Can also describe colleagues or classmates who spend long periods together working towards the same goal.
  • Example:「我们团队成员朝夕相处，合作默契，项目进展顺利。」
    （Our team members are together all day, cooperating smoothly, and the project is progressing well.）
• Familiarity with things: Can also express deep involvement and familiarity with something over a long period.
  • Example:「经过这段时间的朝夕相处，我对这项工作已经非常熟悉了。」
    （After spending this time constantly involved, I am very familiar with this work.）

Additional Examples:

1. 他们从小一起长大，朝夕相处，情同手足。
   （They grew up together from childhood, always spending time together, and are as close as brothers.）
2. 在这个项目中，我们朝夕相处，共同克服了许多困难。
   （In this project, we spent all day together and overcame many difficulties together.）
3. 这对老夫妇朝夕相处了五十年，依然恩爱如初。
   （This elderly couple has lived together day and night for fifty years and still remain as loving as ever.）
4. 为了准备考试，这两个学生每天朝夕相处，一起学习。
   （To prepare for exams, these two students spend all day together studying.）
5. 他和这台机器朝夕相处了十几年，对它的每一个部件都了如指掌。
   （He has been working closely with this machine for over ten years and knows every part of it thoroughly.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• In Chinese culture, close relationships with family and friends are highly valued. The idiom '朝夕相处' reflects this cultural emphasis on spending time together and building intimacy.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 形影不离 (xíng yǐng bù lí): Being inseparable, like a shadow that never leaves its form.
  • 如影随形 (rú yǐng suí xíng): Always together, like a shadow following its form.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 天各一方 (tiān gè yì fāng): Each being in a distant place from the other.
  • 分道扬镳 (fēn dào yáng biāo): To go separate ways, to part company.

6. Summary

'朝夕相处' is an idiom that not only indicates spending a long time together but also expresses the deep bonds and intimate relationships nurtured through that time. Understanding the importance of interpersonal relationships in Chinese culture will help you use this idiom appropriately in context.