Each other – hùxiāng and xiānghù

Grammar Point:
互相 hùxiāng and 相互 xiānghù are two Chinese expressions that are used to convey the idea of “each other” in English. While they are similar in meaning, there is a slight difference in their usage and placement within a sentence.

Structure

互相 hùxiāng + V

互相 hùxiāng is an adverb and it typically focuses on the action or interaction itself.

互相hùxiāng合作hézuò互相hùxiāng合作hézuò
Mutual cooperation

互相hùxiāng責怪zéguài互相hùxiāng责怪zéguài
Blame each other

那nà兩liǎng個ge人rén互相hùxiāng喜歡xǐhuān對方duìfāng那nà两liǎng个ge人rén互相hùxiāng喜欢xǐhuan对方duìfāng
Those two people like each other.

他們tāmen互相hùxiāng幫助bāngzhù他们tāmen互相hùxiāng帮助bāngzhù
They help each other.

我們wǒmen互相hùxiāng鼓勵gǔlì我们wǒmen互相hùxiāng鼓励gǔlì
We encourage each other.

老師lǎoshī和hàn學生xuéshēng應該yīnggāi互相hùxiāng尊重zūnzhòng老师lǎoshī和hé学生xuésheng应该yīnggāi互相hùxiāng尊重zūnzhòng
Teachers and students should respect each other.

相互 xiānghù + N or V

相互 xiānghù can be an adverb or an adjective, and it usually emphasizes the mutual nature of the relationship or interaction.

相互xiānghù支持zhīchí相互xiānghù支持zhīchí
Support each other

相互xiānghù討厭tǎoyàn相互xiānghù讨厌tǎoyàn
Dislike each other

他們tāmen之間zhījiān有yǒu相互xiānghù的de信任xìnrèn他们tāmen之间zhījiān有yǒu相互xiānghù的de信任xìnrèn
There is mutual trust between them.

這zhè兩個liǎngge國家guójiā建立jiànlì了le相互xiānghù合作hézuò關係guānxī这zhè两个liǎngge国家guójiā建立jiànlì了le相互xiānghù合作hézuò关系guānxi
These two countries have established a relationship of mutual cooperation.

他們tāmen在zài工作gōngzuò中zhōng形成xíngchéng了le相互xiānghù依賴yìlài的de關係guānxī他们tāmen在zài工作gōngzuò中zhōng形成xíngchéng了le相互xiānghù依赖yìlài的de关系guānxi
They have formed a relationship of mutual dependence in their work.

這zhè本běn書shū和hàn電影diànyǐng有yǒu相互xiānghù的de關聯guānlián这zhè本běn书shū和hé电影diànyǐng有yǒu相互xiānghù的de关联guānlián
This book and the movie have a mutual connection between them.

FYI
I’m about to let you in on a little secret. Many native Chinese speakers often mix up 互相 hùxiāng and 相互 xiānghù because we use them interchangeably. We don’t typically worry about whether the following word is a noun or a verb. However, if you’re preparing for an HSK test, it’s important to understand the distinction in their usage and where they should appear in a sentence.

Practice

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✔️ Siblings often influence each other.

兄弟姐妹xiōngdìjiěmèi之間zhījiān常cháng互相hùxiāng影響yǐngxiǎng兄弟姐妹xiōngdìjiěmèi之间zhījiān常cháng互相hùxiāng影响yǐngxiǎng

✔️ Classmates should build friendships based on mutual respect with each other.

同學們tóngxuémen應該yīnggāi建立jiànlì相互xiānghù尊重zūnzhòng的de友誼yǒuyí同学们tóngxuémen应该yīnggāi建立jiànlì相互xiānghù尊重zūnzhòng的de友谊yǒuyì

✔️ Don’t compare yourself with him; just compare yourself with yourself.

你nǐ不要búyào和hàn他tā互相hùxiāng比較bǐjiào， 跟gēn自己zìjǐ比較bǐjiào就jiù好hǎo你nǐ不要búyào和hé他tā互相hùxiāng比较bǐjiào， 跟gēn自己zìjǐ比较bǐjiào就jiù好hǎo