# 沆瀣一气

hàng xiè yī qì

Collude in wrongdoing

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Share the same murky atmosphere

**Traditional Chinese:** 沆瀣一氣

**Register:** Critical · literary

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

## When to use it

Describe people acting together for improper purposes.

Strongly negative; ordinary cooperation is different.

## Understanding the expression

The phrase presents its subjects as joined by a common unhealthy atmosphere. In modern use, that unity is usually a partnership in wrongdoing: corrupt officials, dishonest businesses, or deceivers protect one another. The shared misconduct matters more than mere friendship. It is a serious accusation and should be supported with concrete actions. Two people agreeing on a policy or defending each other fairly do not automatically form the malicious alliance implied here.

## Examples

供应商与采购员沆瀣一气，抬高价格。

### Traditional Chinese

供應商與採購員沆瀣一氣，抬高價格。

gōng yìng shāng yǔ cǎi gòu yuán hàng xiè yī qì ， tái gāo jià gé 。

The supplier and buyer colluded to inflate prices.

他们沆瀣一气，伪造比赛成绩。

### Traditional Chinese

他們沆瀣一氣，偽造比賽成績。

tā men hàng xiè yī qì ， wěi zào bǐ sài chéng jì 。

They colluded to falsify competition results.

调查揭露了几家公司沆瀣一气的内幕。

### Traditional Chinese

調查揭露了幾家公司沆瀣一氣的內幕。

diào chá jiē lù le jǐ jiā gōng sī hàng xiè yī qì de nèi mù 。

The investigation exposed collusion among several companies.

不能把正常合作说成沆瀣一气。

### Traditional Chinese

不能把正常合作說成沆瀣一氣。

bù néng bǎ zhèng cháng hé zuò shuō chéng hàng xiè yī qì 。

Ordinary cooperation should not be labeled corrupt collusion.

## 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=%E6%B2%86%E7%80%A3%E4%B8%80%E6%B0%A3)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=498&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [和睦相处 hé mù xiāng chǔ Live together harmoniously ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/he-mu-xiang-chu)

- [怙恶不悛 hù è bù quān Persist in wrongdoing without remorse ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/hu-e-bu-quan)

- [呼风唤雨 hū fēng huàn yǔ Wield great influence or stir up major events ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/hu-feng-huan-yu)

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