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March 24, 2026
互hù(hu4)
The character 互 (hù) signifies mutuality or reciprocity, indicating that actions or relationships involve two or more parties. It is often used in contexts like '互相' (hùxiāng), meaning 'mutually' or 'each other', emphasizing the shared nature of the interaction.
Strokes4Radical二Frequency#8703DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of mutual support and reciprocity is deeply valued, particularly in relationships and business practices, reflecting the importance of community and cooperation.
Memory Tip
Imagine two friends exchanging gifts with each other, symbolizing 'mutual' actions. The character 互 can be visualized as two people (the two horizontal strokes) connecting with a bridge (the vertical stroke) in between, representing their reciprocal relationship.
Meanings of 互
hù(hu4)
1mutual
2mutually, reciprocally
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 互
互Simplified
4Strokes
二Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#8703Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4
Podcast: 互
Podcast: 互
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AI Study Notes for 互
Quick Contrast
互 (hù) vs 相 (xiāng) — use 互 when emphasizing mutuality between parties, while 相 focuses on the relationship or interaction without the reciprocal aspect.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine two friends exchanging gifts with each other, symbolizing 'mutual' actions. The character 互 can be visualized as two people (the two horizontal strokes) connecting with a bridge (the vertical stroke) in between, representing their reciprocal relationship.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 互 with other similar-sounding words. It is used primarily in informal contexts, so in formal writing, consider using synonyms like '相互' (xiānghù). Pay attention to tone; 互 is pronounced with a falling tone, which differs from other characters that may have a similar sound.
HSK Study Tips
Although 互 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it is important for learners at HSK 3 or 4 level as it frequently appears in compound words. Focus on using it in phrases to enhance understanding of mutual relationships in conversation.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of mutual support and reciprocity is deeply valued, particularly in relationships and business practices, reflecting the importance of community and cooperation.
Common Mistakes
Learners might mistakenly use 互 in contexts where a stronger term like '相互' (xiānghù) is more appropriate. For example, saying '互帮助' instead of '相互帮助' is incorrect; the correct phrase is '相互帮助'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 互
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Grammar Patterns of 互
互 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
You get a lot of unruly drunks fighting each other.
10
剧本吸收了三个苏格兰民间故事并把它们相互衔接起来。
jù běn xī shōu le sān gè sū gé lán mín jiān gù shì bìng bǎ tā mén xiāng hù xián jiē qǐ lái。
The play takes three Scottish tales and interlinks them.
Cultural Notes for 互
💡Did you know?
The character '互' is composed of two hooks, symbolizing how people or concepts connect and support each other, reflecting the importance of reciprocity in Chinese culture.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of mutual support and reciprocity is deeply valued, particularly in relationships and business practices, reflecting the importance of community and cooperation.
📜Proverb
'相互帮助' (xiānghù bāngzhù) means 'to help each other', which highlights the value placed on mutual support in Chinese communities.
Word Family of 互
Compounds6
冱hu4freezing; stopped up, closed off
沍
仾
坘
枑
魱
Words Containing This Character19
互相hùxiāngeach other
相互xiānghùeach other
互联网hùliánwǎngInternet互聯網
互hùmutual
互动hùdòngto interact互動
互助hùzhùHuzhu Tuzu autonomous county in Haidong prefecture 海東地區|海东地区[Hǎidōngdìqū], Qinghai
互补hùbǔcomplementary互補
互利mutually beneficial
交互mutual
互换to exchange互換
互惠mutual benefit
互通to intercommunicate
互访hùfǎngexchange visits互訪
平等互利mutual benefit
互连interconnection互連
相互作用to interact
互不相让neither giving way to the other互不相讓
互通有无mutual exchange of assistance (idiom)互通有無
互不侵犯non-aggression
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 冱 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 互
互 and 相 both relate to mutuality, but 互 emphasizes the reciprocal aspect, while 相 (xiāng) often refers to mutual relationships or interactions without the same emphasis on reciprocity. For example, 互相 helps clarify that both parties are engaged equally.
Yes, common expressions with 互 include 互相理解 (hùxiāng lǐjiě), meaning 'to understand each other', and 互利 (hùlì), meaning 'mutual benefit'. These expressions highlight the concept of mutuality in various contexts.
互 (hù) means 'mutual' or 'reciprocal' in Chinese. It is often used to describe actions or relationships where two parties are involved equally. For example, 互相 (hùxiāng) means 'each other' or 'mutually'.
To use 互 in a sentence, you can combine it with other words, such as in 互相帮助 (hùxiāng bāngzhù), which means 'to help each other'. It emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the action, showing that both parties are involved.
You can say '我们互相帮助' (wǒmen hùxiāng bāngzhù), meaning 'We help each other.'
It's more common in informal contexts; in formal writing, consider using 相互 (xiānghù) instead.
Common phrases include 互相 (hùxiāng) for 'each other' and 互惠 (hùhuì) for 'mutual benefit'.
