相反相成
xiāng fǎn xiāng chéng
opposites that complete each other
Character by character
相xiāng
each other
each other
反fǎn
oppose
oppose
相xiāng
each other
each other
成chéng
complete
complete
Example
快与慢相反相成，会休息的人才能跑得更远。
Fast and slow are opposites that complete each other: only those who know how to rest can run further.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
From 《汉书·艺文志》: 仁之与义，敬之与和，相反而皆相成也. Not the same as 相辅相成 (lesson 2-7), where the two sides help each other; here they pull against each other and still make a whole.
Learn this in Lesson 219 · HSK 9+: 俗语打架 (When proverbs disagree)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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