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携手 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
携手xiéshǒuhand in handHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #11984, Very Hard
携手xiéshǒuto join handsHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #11984, Very Hard
携手xiéshǒuto collaborateHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #11984, Very Hard
xiéshǒu(xie2shou3)xie shou T2
  1. 1hand in hand
  2. 2to join hands
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March 24, 2026

携手(攜手)xiéshǒu(xie2shou3)

携手 (xie2 shou3) means 'to join hands' or 'to collaborate'. This phrase is often used in contexts of partnership or teamwork, emphasizing unity and cooperation between individuals or groups. It can be applied in both personal relationships and professional collaborations.

Strokes17Frequency#11984DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of collaboration is often tied to the idea of community and harmony, reflecting the value placed on working together for mutual benefit. This is evident in both social settings and business practices.

Memory tip

Imagine two people holding hands tightly while walking together, symbolizing their cooperation. The character '携' suggests 'to carry' or 'to hold', while '手' means 'hand'. Picture them carrying a shared goal hand in hand.

Meanings of 携手

xiéshǒu(xie2shou3)
1hand in hand
2to join hands
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About 携手

携手Simplified
攜手Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 携手

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Podcast: 携手

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AI study notes for 携手

Quick Contrast

合作 (hézuò) - use 携手 when emphasizing unity and partnership, while 合作 focuses more on the act of working together.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing '携手' to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words. This phrase is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, often in discussions about teamwork or joint endeavors. Common collocations include 携手合作 (join hands in cooperation) and 携手共进 (move forward hand in hand).

HSK Study Tips

While '携手' is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it is a practical phrase that can enhance your vocabulary for discussing collaboration. Focus on related words like 合作 (he2 zuo4 - cooperation) and 伙伴 (huo3 ban4 - partner) to build a stronger contextual understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '携手' with '相手' (xiang1 shou3), which means 'opponent'. Ensure you're using '携手' to convey collaboration. For example, saying '我们要相手合作' (We need to collaborate with opponents) is incorrect; it should be '我们要携手合作'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 携手

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Component characters

携xiéto carry
13 strokes扌
View full entry
手shǒuhand
HSK 24 strokes手
View full entry

How to say hand in hand in Chinese

“hand in hand” in Chinese is携手xiéshǒu

携手 (xie2 shou3) means 'to join hands' or 'to collaborate'. This phrase is often used in contexts of partnership or teamwork, emphasizing unity and cooperation between individuals or groups. It can be applied in both personal relationships and professional collaborations.

When to use 携手

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing '携手' to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words. This phrase is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, often in discussions about teamwork or joint endeavors. Common collocations include 携手合作 (join hands in cooperation) and 携手共进 (move forward hand in hand).

携手 or something close to it

合作 (hézuò) - use 携手 when emphasizing unity and partnership, while 合作 focuses more on the act of working together.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '携手' with '相手' (xiang1 shou3), which means 'opponent'. Ensure you're using '携手' to convey collaboration. For example, saying '我们要相手合作' (We need to collaborate with opponents) is incorrect; it should be '我们要携手合作'.

Write 携手

携
手

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Frequently asked questions about 携手

Yes, '携手' is commonly used in business discussions to refer to partnerships or collaborations between companies.

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