萍水相逢

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: píng shuǐ xiāng féng
• English Translation: A chance encounter during a journey; a once-in-a-lifetime meeting
• Idiom Composition: 「萍」（Floating duckweed）＋「水」（Water）＋「相」（Mutually, each other）＋「逢」（To meet, to encounter）
• Meaning: Like floating duckweed meeting by chance on the water's surface, it refers to strangers encountering each other unexpectedly. It especially denotes chance meetings during travels.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「萍水相逢」 contains the following nuances:

• Chance occurrence: Emphasizes that the meeting is completely unplanned and accidental.
• Once-in-a-lifetime encounter: Suggests that the encounter is precious and may never happen again.
• Connection to travel: Often refers to meetings during travel, expressing the unfamiliarity and freshness of encounters in unknown places.
• Fateful encounter: Sometimes conveys a sense of destiny beyond mere chance.

3. Usage

「萍水相逢」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Describing encounters: Used to describe scenes where strangers meet by chance.
  • Example:「旅途中，我们萍水相逢，却成了一生的朋友。」
    （During the journey, we met by chance and became lifelong friends.）
• Nature of the encounter: Expresses that an encounter is accidental and temporary.
  • Example:「虽然我们只是萍水相逢，但他的热情让我印象深刻。」
    （Although we only had a brief chance meeting, his kindness left a deep impression on me.）
• The mystery of fate: Used to indicate that a chance meeting can have a significant impact on one's life.
  • Example:「他们俩是在图书馆萍水相逢，后来竟然结成了夫妻。」
    （They met by chance in the library and later became husband and wife.）

Additional Examples:

1. 在异国他乡，能遇到同胞真是萍水相逢的缘分。
   （Meeting a fellow countryman in a foreign land is truly a once-in-a-lifetime encounter.）
2. 我们萍水相逢，却因为共同的兴趣而成为了好友。
   （We met by chance, but became close friends because of shared interests.）
3. 人生就像一场旅行，我们会遇到许多萍水相逢的人。
   （Life is like a journey, and we will encounter many once-in-a-lifetime meetings.）
4. 那次萍水相逢的相遇，改变了他的一生。
   （That chance encounter changed his entire life.）
5. 虽然只是萍水相逢，但我永远不会忘记那段美好的时光。
   （Although it was just a brief encounter, I will never forget those wonderful times.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The concept of 'yuan' (fate) in Chinese culture: In China, encounters between people are believed to be determined by 'yuan' or fate. '萍水相逢' reflects this idea of destined connections.
• Travel and encounters: Historically, travel has been an important part of life in China, and meetings during journeys are often featured in literature. '萍水相逢' originates from this cultural background of travel and chance meetings.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 不期而遇 (bù qī ér yù): To meet unexpectedly; to encounter by chance.
  • 邂逅相遇 (xiè hòu xiāng yù): To meet by chance; to encounter.
• Opposite Idioms:

6. Summary

'萍水相逢' is an idiom that goes beyond a mere chance meeting, evoking a sense of fate and the preciousness of once-in-a-lifetime encounters. Understanding the Chinese cultural concept of 'yuan' (fate) and the cultural significance of travel and meetings will deepen your appreciation of this idiom.