# 如胶似漆

rú jiāo sì qī

Be inseparably close

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Like glue and lacquer

**Traditional Chinese:** 如膠似漆

**Register:** Warm · general

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

## When to use it

Describe intense closeness, especially between a couple.

Usually romantic and stronger than ordinary friendship.

## Understanding the expression

Glue and lacquer both suggest surfaces that adhere strongly once joined. The expression turns that stickiness into emotional closeness, usually for a couple who want to spend every moment together. It highlights attachment and intimacy rather than independent understanding alone. The tone may be affectionate or lightly teasing. Because it commonly suggests romance, using it for professional colleagues can create an unintended implication even if they work closely together.

## Examples

新婚的两人如胶似漆。

### Traditional Chinese

新婚的兩人如膠似漆。

xīn hūn de liǎng rén rú jiāo sì qī 。

The newlyweds are inseparably close.

他们热恋时如胶似漆，天天见面。

### Traditional Chinese

他們熱戀時如膠似漆，天天見面。

tā men rè liàn shí rú jiāo sì qī ， tiān tiān jiàn miàn 。

They met daily and were inseparable while passionately in love.

多年之后，夫妻仍如胶似漆。

### Traditional Chinese

多年之後，夫妻仍如膠似漆。

duō nián zhī hòu ， fū qī réng rú jiāo sì qī 。

Years later, the couple remain very close.

电影前半段里，两位主角如胶似漆。

### Traditional Chinese

電影前半段裡，兩位主角如膠似漆。

diàn yǐng qián bàn duàn lǐ ， liǎng wèi zhǔ jué rú jiāo sì qī 。

The protagonists are inseparable in the film's first half.

## 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%A6%82%E8%86%A0%E4%BC%BC%E6%BC%86)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=454&webMd=1&la=0)

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