Meaning of 相互
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- each other
- mutual
How to use 相互
相互 is a bit more formal than 互相 and often appears before verbs in writing, news, and speeches. Unlike 互相, it can also directly modify a noun, as in 相互关系 (xiānghù guānxì, mutual relationship). Example: 我们应该相互尊重。(Wǒmen yīnggāi xiānghù zūnzhòng.) We should respect each other.
相 (xiāng) shows an eye 目 looking at a tree 木, so it suggests looking at each other. 互 (hù) means mutual, so 相互 is two sides doing the same thing to each other.
Common mistake: Learners often add an object after the verb, as in 相互帮助他们. Since 相互 already means each other, just say 他们相互帮助. Also, 相 here is first tone xiāng, not fourth tone xiàng as in 相机 (xiàngjī).
相互 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.
相 xiāng · mutual · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
互 hù · mutually · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Related words
Words that share a character with 相互.
| 相信 | xiāngxìn | to believe; to be convinced; to accept as true |
| 相同 | xiāngtóng | identical; same |
| 相机 | xiàngjī | camera (abbr. for 照相機|照相机[zhao4 xiang4 ji1]); at the opportune moment |
| 照相 | zhàoxiàng | to take a photograph |
| 相当 | xiāngdāng | equivalent to; appropriate |
| 互相 | hùxiāng | each other; mutually |
| 相关 | xiāngguān | related; relevant |
| 相似 | xiāngsì | similar; alike |
| 相比 | xiāngbǐ | to compare |
| 互联网 | hùliánwǎng | Internet |
| 相处 | xiāngchǔ | to be in contact (with sb); to associate |
| 相反 | xiāngfǎn | opposite; contrary |
Questions about 相互
What does 相互 mean?
相互 (xiānghù) means "each other; mutual" and is used as a adverb.
How do you write 相互?
相互 is made of 2 characters: 相 (9 strokes), 互 (4 strokes). That is 13 strokes in total.
Is 相互 an HSK word?
Yes. 相互 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 相互 and 互相?
Both mean each other and can go before verbs, as in 相互支持 or 互相支持. 相互 is more formal and can modify nouns, like 相互作用 (mutual effect), while 互相 is more common in speech and is usually used only before verbs.
Can 相互 be used with only one person as the subject?
No. 相互 needs a plural subject or two parties, such as 我们, 两国, or 他和她. A sentence like 我相互帮助 is wrong.