互相 (hùxiāng)

When some action is mutual, you can use the word 互相 (hùxiāng). The word "mutual" feels formal in English, but in Chinese even everyday phrases such as "learn from each other" use the word 互相, which expresses this "each other" aspect.

Contents

  1. Structure
  2. Examples
  3. See also
  4. Sources and further reading
    1. Books

Structure

Usually 互相 (hùxiāng) is used with two-syllable words, and for one-syllable words some other information will be added after the verb to make it sound more natural (see below for examples of this.)

互相 + Verb

Examples

Don't use 互相 (hùxiāng) with single-syllable verbs. If you really have to use 互相, you can make the verb longer by adding extra information after it.

Note that for some verbs which are inherently "mutual," the use of 互相 (hùxiāng) is redundant and unnecessary. So the following phrases are not wrong, but a little strange.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Expressing "each other" with "huxiang" (Redirected from ASGF00B7) Level B1 Similar to Comparing "bici" and "duifang" (B2) Expressing "each other" with "bici" (B2) Used for Describing actions Keywords 互相 Translations each other When some action is mutual, you can use the word 互相 (hùxiāng). The word "mutual" feels formal in English, but in Chinese even everyday phrases such as "learn from each other" use the word 互相, which expresses this "each other" aspect. Contents 1 Structure 2 Examples 3 See also 4 Sources and further reading 4.1 Books Structure Usually 互相 (hùxiāng) is used with two-syllable words, and for one-syllable words, some other information will be added after the verb to make it sound more natural (see below for examples of this.) 互相 + Verb Examples 互相 帮助 hùxiāng bāngzhù Help each other 互相 了解 hùxiāng liǎojiě Know each other 互相 伤害 hùxiāng shānghài Hurt each other 互相 尊重 hùxiāng zūnzhòng Respect each other 互相 支持 hùxiāng zhīchí Support each other 互相 鼓励 hùxiāng gǔlì Encourage each other 互相 影响 hùxiāng yǐngxiǎng Influence each other 互相 利用 hùxiāng lìyòng Take advantage of each other Don't use 互相 (hùxiāng) with single-syllable verbs. If you really have to use 互相, you can make the verb longer by adding extra information after it. 互相 看 hùxiāng kàn look at each other 互相 看 了 一 眼 hùxiāng kàn le yī yǎn glanced at each other Note that for some verbs which are inherently "mutual," the use of 互相 (hùxiāng) is redundant and unnecessary. So the following phrases are not wrong, but a little strange. 互相 拥抱 hùxiāng yōngbào hug each other 互相 交流 hùxiāng jiāoliú communicate with each other See also Comparing "bici" and “duifang" Sources and further reading Books HSK Standard Course 5上 (pp. 68) →buy