Chinese idiom · 成语
一见如故
Meaning
To meet as if old friends; instant rapport.
Character by character
Origin and story
historical accountThe Zuozhuan, Duke Xiang’s twenty-ninth year, describes Prince Ji Zha of Wu visiting Zheng. When he meets Zichan, the two relate as though already acquainted. Ji Zha gives him a white silk belt, and Zichan offers a ramie garment in return. The exchange turns a diplomatic meeting into a picture of immediate personal affinity.
The wording there is 如旧相识, an antecedent rather than the exact later idiom. The Jinshu offers another related example: Lu Ji and his brother meet Zhang Hua and feel the familiarity of old acquaintance. Later literature uses 一见如故 itself for this experience of instant ease and warmth. It need not imply romance, a previous meeting, or belief in a connection from another life.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
在读书会上，我和新来的邻居一见如故，散会后还聊了很久。
At the book club, I immediately hit it off with my new neighbor, and we kept talking long after the meeting.
Warm immediate rapport at a first meeting; usually friendly rather than necessarily romantic.