交集

• Pinyin: jiāo jí
• Hanzi breakdown: 交 = crossed legs, to intersect; 集 = 隹 (bird) + 木 (tree) — birds gathering on a tree, a collection

Meaning

Intersection; to intersect. The common elements shared between two or more sets, groups, or experiences.

Originally a mathematical term referring to the set of elements common to two or more sets. Now widely used in everyday speech to describe overlapping interests, experiences, or social circles. When used with emotions, often appears in the phrase 百感交集 (a flood of mixed emotions).

Examples

1. 我们的社交圈几乎没有交集，所以很少见面。 Our social circles have almost no overlap, so we rarely see each other.
2. 听到这个消息，她百感交集，不知道该笑还是该哭。 Upon hearing the news, she was overwhelmed with mixed emotions, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
3. 两个看似毫不相关的领域，其实在技术层面有很大的交集。 Two seemingly unrelated fields actually have significant overlap at the technical level.

Usage Guide

Context: mathematics, everyday, relationships

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我们俩的爱好有不少交集。(The two of us share quite a few common interests.)
• 获奖那一刻，他百感交集。(At the moment he received the award, he was overwhelmed with mixed emotions.)

Don't Say

• 用'交集'来表示物理上的交叉点 (Don't use 交集 for a physical intersection like a crossroads — use 交叉口 or 十字路口 instead)

Origin & History

Composed of 交 (to intersect; to cross) + 集 (set; collection). Originally a mathematical term borrowed into everyday language.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated speakers