相 meaning and stroke order
Mutual, reciprocal; equal; each other
How to write 相, stroke by stroke
9 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
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- 8
- 9
Meaning of 相
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- each other
- one another
- mutually
- fret on the neck of a pipa 琵琶[pi2 pa5] (a fret on the soundboard is called a 品[pin3])
- appearance
- portrait
- picture
- government minister
- (physics) phase
- (literary) to appraise (esp. by scrutinizing physical features)
How 相 is built
Ideographic (compound meaning) character. To stare 目 at a tree 木, meaning to observe.
Radical: 目 (eye), shared by 100 characters on this site.
How to remember 相
相 puts a tree 木 next to an eye 目: someone staring closely at a tree to observe it. Two things looking at each other gives the idea of "mutual," and what you look at gives "appearance."
As xiāng, 相 means "each other" and appears in many common words like 相信 (xiāngxìn), 相同 (xiāngtóng) and 互相 (hùxiāng). As xiàng, it relates to looks and pictures, as in 照相 (zhàoxiàng) and 相机 (xiàngjī). Example: 我们互相帮助。(Wǒmen hùxiāng bāngzhù.) We help each other.
Common mistake: Learners often say 相机 as xiāngjī, but camera words use the fourth tone: xiàngjī, zhàoxiàng. Also do not confuse 相 with 想 (xiǎng, to think), which is 相 with 心 added underneath.
Common words with 相
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 相信 | xiāngxìn | to believe; to be convinced; to accept as true | HSK 2 |
| 相同 | xiāngtóng | identical; same | HSK 2 |
| 相机 | xiàngjī | camera (abbr. for 照相機|照相机[zhao4 xiang4 ji1]); at the opportune moment | HSK 2 |
| 照相 | zhàoxiàng | to take a photograph | HSK 2 |
| 相当 | xiāngdāng | equivalent to; appropriate | HSK 3 |
| 互相 | hùxiāng | each other; mutually | HSK 3 |
| 相关 | xiāngguān | related; relevant | HSK 3 |
| 相互 | xiānghù | each other; mutual | HSK 3 |
| 相似 | xiāngsì | similar; alike | HSK 3 |
| 相比 | xiāngbǐ | to compare | HSK 3 |
| 相处 | xiāngchǔ | to be in contact (with sb); to associate | HSK 4 |
| 相反 | xiāngfǎn | opposite; contrary | HSK 4 |
| 相片 | xiàngpiàn | image; photograph | HSK 4 |
| 真相 | zhēnxiàng | the truth about sth; the actual facts | HSK 5 |
相 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Characters that contain 相
Learning 相 makes these easier to recognize and write.
Questions about 相
How many strokes are in 相?
相 is written with 9 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 相 mean?
相 (xiāng) means mutual, reciprocal; equal; each other. A common word with it is 相信 (xiāngxìn), meaning "to believe; to be convinced; to accept as true".
How do you pronounce 相?
相 is pronounced xiāng, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 相?
The radical of 相 is 目, which carries the idea of "eye". Dictionaries list 相 under this radical.
Is 相 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 相 is part of the HSK 2 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 2.
How do I know whether 相 is read xiāng or xiàng?
If the word is about mutual action or comparison, like 相信, 相同, 相关, it is xiāng. If it is about appearance, photos, or a minister, like 照相, 长相 (zhǎngxiàng), or 首相 (shǒuxiàng, prime minister), it is xiàng.
What is the difference between 互相 and 相互?
Both mean "each other" and are often interchangeable before verbs. 互相 is more common in everyday speech, while 相互 can also work like an adjective before nouns, as in 相互关系 (xiānghù guānxì, mutual relationship).