一衣带水
yī yī dài shuǐ
neighbours separated only by a narrow strip of water
Character by character
一yī
one
one
衣yī
garment
garment
带dài
belt of
belt of
水shuǐ
water
water
Example
中日两国是一衣带水的邻国。
China and Japan are neighbours separated only by a strip of water.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
Read as 一 + 衣带 + 水: water as narrow as a sash.
Learn this in Lesson 56 · HSK 6: 一带一路与对外贸易 (Belt and Road, and trade)
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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