交情

• Pinyin: jiāo qing
• Hanzi breakdown: 交 = to associate, interact; 情 = 忄(heart) + 青 — feelings, emotions

Meaning

Friendship; personal relationship. The bond or connection between friends or acquaintances built over time.

Emphasizes the depth and history of a relationship rather than just casual acquaintance. Often used to acknowledge long-standing connections that carry social obligations. Common phrases include 老交情 (old friendship), 多年交情 (years of friendship), and 看在交情的份上 (for the sake of our friendship).

Examples

1. 看在我们多年交情的份上，这件事你就帮个忙吧。 For the sake of our years of friendship, please help me out with this.
2. 他们虽然是生意伙伴，但私下里交情并不深。 Although they are business partners, their personal relationship isn't actually that close.
3. 老张和他有几十年的交情，关键时刻不会袖手旁观。 Old Zhang has been friends with him for decades and won't stand by idly at a crucial moment.

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, social, everyday

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 我们俩有二十年的交情了。(The two of us have been friends for twenty years.)
• 凭我们的交情，这点小事不用客气。(Given our friendship, no need to be polite about this small matter.)

Don't Say

• 用'交情'描述刚认识的人 (Don't use 交情 for someone you just met — it implies history; use 认识 or 关系 for newer connections)

Origin & History

Composed of 交 (to associate; relationship) + 情 (feeling; affection). Literally the feelings that come from association.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal