相当于

• Pinyin: xiāng dāng yú
• Hanzi breakdown: 相 = 木 + 目 (mutual); 当 = 彐 + 田 (face squarely — hence match); 于 = directional particle

Meaning

To be equivalent to; to be tantamount to; to be equal in value, degree, or function.

Used to draw equivalencies between different things, especially when explaining abstract or unfamiliar concepts through accessible analogies. Frequent in academic, analytical, and explanatory contexts.

Examples

1. 这笔奖学金的金额相当于他一年的全部生活费，对他而言意义重大。 This scholarship amount is equivalent to all of his living expenses for a full year, which means a great deal to him.
2. 担任这一职位相当于承担了整个部门的核心决策责任。 Taking on this position is tantamount to bearing responsibility for the department’s core decision-making.
3. 在古代，丝绸相当于货币，可用于商贸往来和赋税缴纳。 In ancient times, silk was equivalent to currency and could be used for trade and for paying taxes.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, analysis, explanation, business

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 一公里相当于一千米，换算起来十分简便。(One kilometre is equivalent to one thousand metres — the conversion is straightforward.)
• 他提出的这一建议相当于推翻了整个原有方案，引发了激烈讨论。(The suggestion he put forward was tantamount to overturning the entire original plan, sparking intense debate.)

Don't Say

• 他的努力相当于很多 — 相当于 needs a concrete equivalent noun phrase; use 相当大/多 as standalone adjective-adverb instead

Origin & History

相当 (equivalent/comparable) + 于 (to/at) — 'equivalent to [something]'

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal