朝夕相处
zhāoxīxiāngchù · HSK 7
to spend all one's time together (idiom)
🌅🌆 朝 morning + 夕 evening + 相处 get along = together from dawn to dusk, day in day out
朝 (zhāo) is morning, 夕 (xī) is evening, and 相处 (xiāngchù) means to get along. Together they describe two people sharing every morning and evening — being in close company constantly, the way family or close partners live side by side.
朝 — 十 + 日 + 十 + 月 (sun rising among grass, moon fading)
Originally a pictograph showing the sun (日) rising among grass or trees with the moon (月) still visible, depicting dawn. The core meaning 'morning' (zhāo) was extended to 'dynasty' or 'court audience' (cháo), since officials gathered before the ruler at daybreak.
处 — 夂 (foot) + 几 (low table/stool)
Originally depicted a person stopping (夂, an inverted foot) beside a stool (几), suggesting someone settling down in a place. From 'to dwell/stay' the meaning broadened to 'place, location' (chù) and 'to handle, deal with' (chǔ). The simplified form drops the older 虍 top found in 處.