Meaning of 彼此
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- each other; one another
How to use 彼此
彼此 is a slightly formal word for "each other," often placed before a verb or used after 对 or 为. It is common in writing, speeches, and phrases like 彼此彼此 (bǐcǐ bǐcǐ), a polite reply meaning "same to you" or "we are about the same." Example: 我们应该彼此帮助。(Wǒmen yīnggāi bǐcǐ bāngzhù.) We should help each other.
彼 (bǐ) means "that one" and 此 (cǐ) means "this one," so 彼此 is literally "that and this." When you put that person and this person together, you get "each other."
Common mistake: Learners often write 彼此 after the verb as in English, like 帮助彼此. The more natural order puts it before the verb, as in 彼此帮助. Also watch the shape: 彼 has the 彳 "step" component on the left, so do not confuse it with 被 (bèi), which has 衤 on the left.
彼此 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
彼 bǐ · that · 8 strokes
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- 3
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- 8
此 cǐ · this · 6 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 彼此.
| 因此 | yīncǐ | thus; consequently; as a result |
| 从此 | cóngcǐ | from now on; since then |
| 此外 | cǐwài | besides; in addition; moreover; furthermore |
| 如此 | rúcǐ | like this; so; such |
| 此刻 | cǐkè | this moment; now |
| 此时 | cǐshí | now; this moment |
| 由此 | yóu cǐ | hereby; from this |
| 此后 | cǐhòu | after this; afterwards |
| 为此 | wèicǐ | for this reason; with regards to this |
| 此事 | cǐshì | this matter |
| 此次 | cǐ cì | this time |
| 此处 | cǐ chù | this place; here (literary) |
Questions about 彼此
What does 彼此 mean?
彼此 (bǐcǐ) means "each other; one another" and is used as a pronoun.
How do you write 彼此?
彼此 is made of 2 characters: 彼 (8 strokes), 此 (6 strokes). That is 14 strokes in total.
Is 彼此 an HSK word?
Yes. 彼此 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 彼此 and 互相?
Both mean "each other," and both often come before a verb. 互相 (hùxiāng) is an adverb and more casual. 彼此 is a pronoun, so it can also act as an object or modify a noun, as in 彼此的关系 (bǐcǐ de guānxì), "the relationship between us."
What does 彼此彼此 mean?
It is a modest, polite response meaning "the same goes for you" or "we are equal in this." If someone says 你辛苦了 (nǐ xīnkǔ le), "you worked hard," you can answer 彼此彼此 to return the compliment.