交往

• Pinyin: jiāo wǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 交 = pictograph of crossed legs, meaning to cross or exchange; 往 = 彳(step) + 主 (phonetic), meaning to go towards

Meaning

To associate with; to have dealings with. To interact or socialise with others, especially over time.

Describes ongoing social interaction and relationship-building between people. Can refer to friendships, professional relationships, or romantic relationships when the context makes it clear. Implies a deeper or more sustained level of contact than casual meetings.

Examples

1. 他和同事们交往得很好。 He gets along very well with his colleagues.
2. 你们是什么时候开始交往的？ When did you two start dating?
3. 跟不同的人交往可以学到很多东西。 You can learn a lot from interacting with different people.

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, social, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 他们交往了三年才结婚。(They dated for three years before getting married.)
• 跟朋友交往要真诚。(You should be sincere when interacting with friends.)

Don't Say

• 我跟这本书交往很久了。(Don't use 交往 with objects — it only describes interaction between people. Say 我看这本书很久了.)

Origin & History

Compound of 交 (to associate, to cross paths) and 往 (to go, to move towards), together conveying the idea of mutual coming and going — sustained social interaction.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal