NetChai Chinese

What Does 海誓山盟 (hǎi shì shān méng) Mean?

海誓山盟
hǎi shì shān méng
Eternal love vows
A young couple exchanges heartfelt promises by a scenic lake, illustrating “eternal love vows” in Chinese: 海誓山盟 (hǎi shì shān méng)

Lovers make solemn promises of enduring affection. It describes a profound commitment to eternal love, often implying a bond that is as vast as the sea and as steadfast as the mountains.

What does 海誓山盟 (hǎi shì shān méng) mean?

海誓山盟 (hǎi shì shān méng) means "eternal love vows" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "sea vows and mountain pledges."

Character by character

  • hǎi sea
  • shì vow
  • shān mountain
  • méng alliance, oath

When to use it

Primarily used in romantic contexts to express a deep, unbreakable pledge between two people. It conveys a sense of ultimate devotion and a promise to remain together forever, often used in literature or formal declarations of love.

Example

他俩许下海誓山盟,今生今世永不分离。
Tāliǎ xǔxià hǎi shì shān méng, jīnshēngjīnshì yǒngbùfēnlí.
The two of them made solemn vows of eternal love, promising never to be separated in this life.
Pro tip: The imagery of the sea and mountains conveys the immense depth and unwavering stability of the love being pledged, emphasizing its everlasting nature.

Related idioms

顾全大局 · Considering the overall situation刮目相看 · Seeing with new eyes汗流浃背 · Profuse sweating
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