# 一见如故

yī jiàn rú gù

Feel like old friends on first meeting

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** At one meeting, feel like familiar companions

**Traditional Chinese:** 一見如故

**Register:** Warm · general

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

## When to use it

Describe immediate warmth and rapport.

Instant rapport does not establish deep trust.

## Understanding the expression

A first encounter normally requires time to become comfortable, but here familiarity seems immediate. The expression describes people who quickly find common interests, compatible humor, or an easy way of speaking. Modern use is warm and often appears in stories of friendship. It conveys a feeling, not proof that the relationship will last. Trust still develops through later actions, even when the first conversation already feels natural and close.

## Examples

我们一见如故，聊了整晚。

### Traditional Chinese

我們一見如故，聊了整晚。

wǒ men yī jiàn rú gù ， liáo le zhěng wǎn 。

We felt like old friends and talked all evening.

两位旅客一见如故。

### Traditional Chinese

兩位旅客一見如故。

liǎng wèi lǚ kè yī jiàn rú gù 。

The two travelers immediately felt at ease together.

她与新邻居一见如故。

### Traditional Chinese

她與新鄰居一見如故。

tā yǔ xīn lín jū yī jiàn rú gù 。

She and the new neighbor felt like old friends.

虽然一见如故，他们仍慢慢建立信任。

### Traditional Chinese

雖然一見如故，他們仍慢慢建立信任。

suī rán yī jiàn rú gù ， tā men réng màn màn jiàn lì xìn rèn 。

Despite immediate rapport, they built trust gradually.

## 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=%E4%B8%80%E8%A6%8B%E5%A6%82%E6%95%85)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=261&webMd=1&la=0)

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