4 characters Idiom and proverb 27 192

Free Chinese learning materials for you! This series uncovers idioms and proverbs, rich in meaning. Let’s break down 「貓鼠同眠」 and its usage.

The Chinese idiom we are introducing this time is 「貓鼠同眠」. You can find its meaning and application outlined below.

The cat sleeps with the mouse. It is a metaphor for officials failing to perform their duties and shielding their subordinates from doing bad things. It also refers to the collusion between the superiors and the subordinates.

The Mandarin pronunciation of this idiom is :

māo shǔ tóng mián

while its Cantonese pinyin is :

maau1 syu2 tung4 min4

The world of Chinese idioms is massive, filled with countless expressions, each with distinct meanings and applications. These materials are here to support you as you improve your Chinese skills.