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肝胆相照らす (かんたんあいてらす) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-su)
be profoundly compatible ; be inseparable ; open one's heart to each other
Idiomatic expression describing a relationship of deep mutual trust and understanding, where each person reveals their innermost thoughts and feelings. Often used in formal or literary contexts.
かん
胆たん
相あい
照て
らす
関かん
係けい
に
なっ
た
。
Through years of friendship, the two developed a relationship of profound mutual understanding.
Written forms 肝かん 胆たん 相あい 照て らす
Standard kanji spelling for this idiomatic expression.
肝胆相照かんたんあいてら す
Variant spelling with 照す instead of 照らす; both are used.
Kanji 胆 gall bladder, courage, pluck 相 inter-, mutual, together 照 illuminate, shine, compare Similar words 腹はら を 割わ って 話はな す Means 'to speak frankly' or 'to have a heart-to-heart talk', focusing on the act of open communication, while 肝胆相照らす describes the deep, trusting relationship itself.
一いっ 心しん 同どう 体たい Literally 'one heart, one body', emphasizing unity and acting as one, whereas 肝胆相照らす emphasizes mutual openness and understanding.
Etymology From Chinese classical literature. 肝胆 (liver and gall) metaphorically represent one's innermost thoughts and feelings, and 相照らす means 'to illuminate each other', together expressing the idea of complete mutual openness and trust.
