# 八拜之交

bā bài zhī jiāo

A sworn or exceptionally close friendship

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** A friendship of eight ceremonial bows

**Register:** Formal · literary

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Use for solemn bonds between close friends.

More literary than an ordinary description of friendship.

## Understanding the expression

Ceremonial bows suggest a bond formally recognized and taken seriously. The expression describes sworn friendship or an exceptionally close relationship grounded in trust and loyalty. It commonly appears in stories, tributes, and literary conversation. The phrase should not be taken as a requirement that modern friends perform a specific ceremony. What carries into present usage is the strength of the commitment, rather than an exact count of bows or a casual acquaintance.

## Examples

他们是八拜之交，彼此信任。

### Traditional Chinese

他們是八拜之交，彼此信任。

tā men shì bā bài zhī jiāo ， bǐ cǐ xìn rèn 。

They are sworn friends who trust each other.

他把这位老友视为八拜之交。

### Traditional Chinese

他把這位老友視為八拜之交。

tā bǎ zhè wèi lǎo yǒu shì wèi bā bài zhī jiāo 。

He regards this old friend as a sworn companion.

两位八拜之交多年互相扶持。

### Traditional Chinese

兩位八拜之交多年互相扶持。

liǎng wèi bā bài zhī jiāo duō nián hù xiāng fú chí 。

The two sworn friends supported each other for many years.

危难中，八拜之交没有离开他。

### Traditional Chinese

危難中，八拜之交沒有離開他。

wēi nàn zhōng ， bā bài zhī jiāo méi yǒu lí kāi tā 。

In danger, his sworn friend did not abandon him.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%85%AB%E6%8B%9C%E4%B9%8B%E4%BA%A4)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=764&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [八面玲珑 bā miàn líng lóng Be socially adept with everyone ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ba-mian-ling-long)

- [班门弄斧 bān mén nòng fǔ Show off limited skill in front of an expert ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ban-men-nong-fu)

- [杯盘狼藉 bēi pán láng jí Have dishes and cups scattered in disorder ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bei-pan-lang-ji)

- [悲天悯人 bēi tiān mǐn rén Feel deep compassion for human suffering ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/bei-tian-min-ren)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 按图索骥 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/an-tu-suo-ji) [Next idiom 八面玲珑 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ba-mian-ling-long)