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adverb / verb / noun HSK 4
xiāng / xiàng
mutual · each other · appearance · to look at · to assist · photo

Meaning

相 is a highly versatile character with two main pronunciations. As 'xiāng', it means 'mutual' or 'each other' and appears in many common two-character words expressing reciprocal actions. As 'xiàng', it means 'appearance', 'to look at', or refers to photographs and physiognomy.

Usage

Native speakers use 相 (xiāng) extremely frequently in compound words like 相信 (believe), 相同 (same), and 互相 (mutually). The xiàng pronunciation appears in words like 照相 (take a photo), 长相 (appearance), and 相貌 (looks). Context determines which pronunciation and meaning applies.

Examples

  1. 01
    我们应该互相帮助。
    Wǒmen yīnggāi hù xiāng bāngzhù.
    We should help each other.
  2. 02
    她长相很漂亮。
    Tā zhǎng xiàng hěn piàoliang.
    She has a beautiful appearance.

Measure words

  • 张zhāng一张相片

Common collocations

  • 相信
    xiāng xìn
    to believe
  • 相同
    xiāng tóng
    identical
  • 互相
    hù xiāng
    mutually
  • 照相
    zhào xiàng
    to take a photo
  • 长相
    zhǎng xiàng
    appearance, looks
  • 相处
    xiāng chǔ
    to get along with

Origin

Oracle bone script shows an eye (目) looking at a tree (木), suggesting the act of observing or examining. This evolved into meanings of 'looking at appearance' and 'mutually observing each other'.

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