管鮑之交かんぽうのまじわり

Meanings

A yojijukugo referring to an extremely close, unwavering friendship, based on the legendary bond between Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya in ancient China. Often used in literary or formal contexts.

Kanji

管pipe, tube, wind instrument
鮑abalone
之of, this
交mingle, mixing, association

Related words

刎ふん頸けいの交まじわり
Also means a deep friendship, but emphasizes a bond so strong that one would risk decapitation for the other; more dramatic and less commonly used than 管鮑之交.
水すい魚ぎょの交まじわり
Refers to an intimate, inseparable relationship like that between water and fish; often used for close friendships or marital harmony.

Written forms

管鮑之交かんぽうのまじわり
Standard kanji form for this yojijukugo.
管かん鮑ぽうの交まじわり
Alternate spelling using 交わり instead of 之交; also common.

Etymology

From the Chinese historical story of Guan Zhong (管仲) and Bao Shuya (鮑叔牙), whose friendship was so deep that they trusted each other implicitly despite political turmoil. The phrase is a yojijukugo adaptation of that story.