# 破镜重圆

pò jìng chóng yuán

Restore a broken romantic relationship

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Make a broken mirror whole again

**Traditional Chinese:** 破鏡重圓

**Register:** Warm · literary

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

## When to use it

Describe separated partners reuniting.

Most natural for couples, not routine repairs.

## Understanding the expression

A broken mirror no longer presents one complete reflection. Making it whole again offers an image of restoring a relationship after separation. The phrase most often concerns couples who reconcile or reunite after circumstances pulled them apart. It suggests renewed unity, but does not explain how trust was repaired. A reunion can be moving while still requiring honest discussion about the problems that caused the original break.

## Examples

他们分开多年后终于破镜重圆。

### Traditional Chinese

他們分開多年後終於破鏡重圓。

tā men fēn kāi duō nián hòu zhōng yú pò jìng chóng yuán 。

They finally reunited after years apart.

这部电影讲的是一对夫妻破镜重圆。

### Traditional Chinese

這部電影講的是一對夫妻破鏡重圓。

zhè bù diàn yǐng jiǎng de shì yí duì fū qī pò jìng chóng yuán 。

The film tells of a married couple reconciling.

她希望破镜重圆，但也需要重新建立信任。

### Traditional Chinese

她希望破鏡重圓，但也需要重新建立信任。

tā xī wàng pò jìng chóng yuán ， dàn yě xū yào chóng xīn jiàn lì xìn rèn 。

She hopes to reconcile but also needs to rebuild trust.

双方认真沟通后，才有可能破镜重圆。

### Traditional Chinese

雙方認真溝通後，才有可能破鏡重圓。

shuāng fāng rèn zhēn gōu tōng hòu ， cái yǒu kě néng pò jìng chóng yuán 。

Reconciliation becomes possible only after both sides communicate seriously.

## 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=%E7%A0%B4%E9%8F%A1%E9%87%8D%E5%9C%93)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=51&webMd=1&la=0)

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