呉越同舟
ごえつどうしゅう bitter enemies in the same boat; rivals finding themselves together by chance
Why it means this
Wu (呉) and Yue (越) were bitter rival states; the phrase means enemies thrown together 'in the same boat (舟)', forced to cooperate.
Breakdown
- 呉 ゴ give, do something for, kingdom of Wu
- 越 エツ surpass, cross over, move to
- 同 ドウ same, agree, equal
- 舟 ふね boat, ship
Each character links to its full entry — origin story, stroke order, and readings.