谢谢你雪中送炭。
Thank you for helping when I needed it most.
Daily Chengyu
雪中送炭
To help when someone needs it most.
Literal Meaning: Send charcoal in snowy weather.
雪snow
中in
送deliver
炭charcoal
Today's Situation
A friend lends you money the week you lose your job.
Perfect Chengyu: 雪中送炭
Actual Meaning
Timely, practical help during hardship — far more valuable than gifts when things are easy.
Emotional toneWarm, grateful
Usage feelNeutral in tone
FormalityNeutral
English Equivalent
- Help in time of need.
- A friend in need.
- Timely assistance.
English equivalents capture the general idea, but they may not fit every context exactly.
Modern Usage Example
Your referral during my job search was true 雪中送炭.
Chinese Example Sentences
真正的朋友会雪中送炭。
True friends help in times of hardship.
Origin Story
Sending charcoal during snow became the classic image of help that arrives exactly when suffering is greatest.
When Natives Use It
Good fit
- Friendship
- Charity
- Mentorship
Avoid
Very positive. Common in thank-you messages.
- Common in speech
- Common in writing
- Sounds natural today
- Possible but uncommon in casual chat
- More common in writing or commentary
- Use with care — can sound critical
Similar and Opposite Chengyu
Daily Quiz
Which best matches 雪中送炭?
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