混合

• Pinyin: hùn hé
• Hanzi breakdown: 混 = 氵 (water) + 昆 (many insects), suggesting turbid water; 合 = 人 (person) + 一 (one) + 口 (mouth), coming together

Meaning

To mix; to blend; mixed; hybrid. Combining different elements together.

Used for combining substances, styles, or categories. Common collocations: 混合物 (mixture), 混合型 (hybrid type), 混合动力 (hybrid power), 混合双打 (mixed doubles in sports), 混合经济 (mixed economy). Can be verb or adjective.

Examples

1. 这款车采用油电混合动力系统，既省油又环保。 This car uses a hybrid gas-electric powertrain, which is both fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly.
2. 把面粉、鸡蛋和牛奶混合在一起，搅拌均匀。 Mix the flour, eggs, and milk together, and stir until smooth.
3. 这支乐队的风格很独特，混合了爵士和电子音乐的元素。 This band has a unique style, blending elements of jazz and electronic music.

Usage Guide

Context: science, cooking, technology

Tone: technical

Do Say

• 把这两种液体混合起来。(Mix these two liquids together.)
• 混合动力车越来越普及了。(Hybrid cars are becoming more and more popular.)

Don't Say

• 人群聚集用混合 (Don't use 混合 for people gathering together — use 聚集 or 汇集; 混合 is for substances or categories)

Origin & History

Compound of 混 (muddy, mix) + 合 (combine). 混 originally described turbid water with things mixed in.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal