相识

• Pinyin: xiāng shí
• Hanzi breakdown: 相 = 木 + 目 (mutual regard); 识 = 讠+ 戠 (speech marking recognition)

Meaning

To be mutually acquainted; to know each other. Can also function as a noun meaning 'an acquaintance.'

Describes the state of mutual acquaintance or the event of first meeting someone. Carries a slightly warmer or more literary tone than 认识 alone. Common in narrative, literary, and formal social contexts.

Examples

1. 两人在一次学术研讨会上相识，此后建立了长达数十年的深厚友谊。 They met at an academic symposium and went on to build a deep friendship that lasted for decades.
2. 相识多年，他仍然清晰地记得第一次见到她时的情景。 Even after knowing her for many years, he still clearly remembers the first time he saw her.
3. 能与志同道合的人相识，是人生中最为难得的一种缘分。 Meeting like-minded people is one of the rarest kinds of good fortune in life.

Usage Guide

Context: social, literature, narrative, academic

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 我们相识于一次偶然的旅途之中，没想到此后竟成了挚友。(We met by chance during a journey; little did we expect that we would become close friends after that.)
• 他在场内拥有众多相识，每逢行业活动总能看到熟悉的面孔。(He has many acquaintances in the field; at every industry event, familiar faces are always to be seen.)

Don't Say

• 我相识了他 — 相识 is stative or describes a moment, not an action with 了 completion; say 我们相识了 (we came to know each other) or 我认识了他

Origin & History

相 (mutually) + 识 (know/recognise) — knowing each other

Cultural Context

Era: Classical to Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal