萍水相逢 píngshuǐ-xiāngféng strangers coming together by chance (idiom)
How to remember 萍水相逢: 萍 duckweed + 水 water + 相 mutual + 逢 to meet = strangers coming together by chance (idiom).
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How it is used
- A literary idiom for two strangers meeting by pure chance, like duckweed (萍) drifting together on water - 我们只是萍水相逢 (wǒmen zhǐshì píngshuǐ-xiāngféng) we're just chance acquaintances.
- Carries a wistful, fleeting flavor: the people met briefly and had no prior connection, often won't meet again.
- Written/literary register; use it to describe the relationship, not as a greeting.