# 劳燕分飞

láo yàn fēn fēi

Part ways, especially as a couple

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** The shrike and swallow fly apart

**Traditional Chinese:** 勞燕分飛

**Register:** Sad · literary

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

## When to use it

Describe separation with a wistful literary tone.

Usually personal parting; not simply birds migrating.

## Understanding the expression

Two birds fly in different directions, turning separation into a quiet visual scene. The expression commonly describes a couple parting, though a broader personal separation is possible. It emphasizes the divided paths rather than the argument that caused them. The tone is often wistful and literary. It does not necessarily assign blame or imply permanent hostility, so a sentence can describe a painful separation while allowing the people to remember their shared past with care.

## Examples

毕业后，这对恋人劳燕分飞。

### Traditional Chinese

畢業後，這對戀人勞燕分飛。

bì yè hòu ， zhè duì liàn rén láo yàn fēn fēi 。

The couple parted after graduation.

多年相伴，最终还是劳燕分飞。

### Traditional Chinese

多年相伴，最終還是勞燕分飛。

duō nián xiāng bàn ， zuì zhōng hái shì láo yàn fēn fēi 。

After years together, they eventually separated.

小说结尾两人劳燕分飞。

### Traditional Chinese

小說結尾兩人勞燕分飛。

xiǎo shuō jié wěi liǎng rén láo yàn fēn fēi 。

The novel ends with the two parting.

工作调动使他们暂时劳燕分飞。

### Traditional Chinese

工作調動使他們暫時勞燕分飛。

gōng zuò diào dòng shǐ tā men zàn shí láo yàn fēn fēi 。

Job transfers temporarily separated the couple.

## 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%8B%9E%E7%87%95%E5%88%86%E9%A3%9B)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=684&webMd=1&la=0)

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