形影相吊 mutual consolation of form and shadow
Explanation
形容孤单寂寞，无人陪伴。
Describes loneliness and the absence of company.
Origin Story
晋武帝时期，一位名叫李密的官员因祖母年迈体弱，自己又无兄弟姐妹，只能在家侍奉祖母，形影相吊。他写信给皇帝，表达了不能上任的苦衷，这份著名的《陈情表》感动了皇帝，皇帝准许他先尽孝道，待祖母去世后再出来做官。李密的故事也成为了后人学习的典范，他至孝至诚的行为感动了无数人，也使得“形影相吊”这个成语更加深入人心，用来形容孤单寂寞之情。
During the reign of Emperor Wu of Jin, an official named Li Mi had an aged and frail grandmother. With no siblings, he had to stay home to care for her, resulting in a lonely existence. He wrote to the emperor, explaining his inability to take office. His famous "Chen Qing Biao" moved the emperor who allowed him to first fulfill his filial duty before assuming his office after his grandmother’s passing. Li Mi’s story became a model for future generations, his devotion deeply touching people, making the idiom "Xing Ying Xiang Diao" synonymous with loneliness and isolation.
Usage
用于形容一个人孤单寂寞，缺少伴侣或朋友的情况。
Used to describe someone who is lonely and lacks companions or friends.
Examples
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他独自一人生活，形影相吊。
ta duzi yiren shenghuo, xingyingxiangdiao
He lives alone and is very lonely.
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老年人生活孤单，形影相吊。
laonianren shenghuo gudan, xingyingxiangdiao
Elderly people often live alone and feel lonely