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March 24, 2026
协(協)xié(xie2)
The character 协 (xié) primarily means to cooperate or to harmonize with others. It is commonly used in contexts where collaboration or assistance is needed, such as teamwork or joint efforts. This term emphasizes a sense of unity and mutual support in achieving a common goal.
Strokes6Radical十Frequency#12203DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of cooperation is often linked to Confucian values, which stress harmony in relationships and collective well-being over individualism. This makes 协 a significant term in discussions about community and teamwork.
Memory Tip
Imagine two people (the radicals) holding hands in harmony, symbolizing cooperation. The left part of the character (左) resembles a hand reaching out, while the right part (合) suggests coming together. Think of 'xié' like 'share' to remember that it involves working together.
Meanings of 协
xié(xie2)
1to cooperate
2to harmonize
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 协
协Simplified
協Traditional
6Strokes
十Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#12203Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4
Podcast: 协
Podcast: 协
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AI Study Notes for 协
Quick Contrast
协 (xié) vs 合 (hé) — use 协 when emphasizing cooperation or harmony, while 合 focuses more on combining elements or being together.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine two people (the radicals) holding hands in harmony, symbolizing cooperation. The left part of the character (左) resembles a hand reaching out, while the right part (合) suggests coming together. Think of 'xié' like 'share' to remember that it involves working together.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 协 (xié) with similar-sounding words like 谐 (xié), which means to harmonize in a musical context. 协 is more about general cooperation. It's typically used in formal contexts, such as business or diplomatic discussions, and often appears in phrases like '协作' (xiézuò, to collaborate).
HSK Study Tips
Though 协 is not directly listed in HSK levels, it is useful for learners aiming to improve their vocabulary related to teamwork and collaboration. Students should focus on its usage in phrases and contexts that emphasize working together.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of cooperation is often linked to Confucian values, which stress harmony in relationships and collective well-being over individualism. This makes 协 a significant term in discussions about community and teamwork.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 协 (xié) with 结 (jié), which means to tie or bind. For example, saying '我希望我们能结作' (wǒ xīwàng wǒmen néng jiézuò) instead of '协作' is incorrect; the correct phrase is '我希望我们能协作' (wǒ xīwàng wǒmen néng xiézuò).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 协
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Grammar Patterns of 协
协 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 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.
Athletics South Africa was formed by an amalgamation of two organisations.
Cultural Notes for 协
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of cooperation is often linked to Confucian values, which stress harmony in relationships and collective well-being over individualism. This makes 协 a significant term in discussions about community and teamwork.
Word Family of 协
Words Containing This Character20
协议xiéyìpact協議
协会xiéhuìa society協會
协调xiétiáoto coordinate協調
协助xiézhùto aid協助
妥协tuǒxiéto compromise妥協
协商xiéshāngto consult with協商
协定xiédìngprotocol協定
政协CPPCC (Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference)政協
协作xiézuòcooperation協作
协xiéto help協
协同xiétóngto cooperate協同
足协soccer league足協
齐心协力qíxīnxiélìto pull together齊心協力
协议书xiéyìshūcontract協議書
同心协力to pull together同心協力
协奏曲concerto協奏曲
协办to assist協辦
协和harmony協和
协调员coordinator協調員
协力to unite in common effort協力
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 协议 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 协
While 协 (xié) means to cooperate or assist, 合 (hé) generally means to combine or unite. 协 emphasizes collaboration, while 合 focuses more on coming together as one. Understanding the nuances of these characters can help in using them accurately in conversation.
Yes, 协 (xié) is often used in formal contexts, such as in business or diplomatic settings, to describe cooperation or assistance. For example, you might see it in phrases like '协同合作' which means 'cooperative collaboration.'
协 (xié) means to cooperate or to harmonize. It can also convey the idea of helping, assisting, or joining efforts with others. This character is often used in contexts where collaboration or teamwork is emphasized.
You can use 协 (xié) in a sentence like '我们需要协作来完成这个项目' which translates to 'We need to cooperate to complete this project.' It's commonly used in contexts involving teamwork and collaboration.
You can find 协 in phrases like '协作' (xiézuò, to collaborate) and '协商' (xiéshāng, to negotiate).
While it is more common in formal situations, 协 can also be used informally when discussing teamwork or helping others.
It's pronounced 'xié', with a rising tone, similar to how you would say 'share'.
