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相识 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
相识xiāngshíto get to know each otherHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #8511, Very Hard
相识xiāngshíacquaintanceHSK 7, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #8511, Very Hard
xiāngshí(xiang1shi2)xiang shi T1
  1. 1to get to know each other
  2. 2acquaintance
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March 24, 2026

相识(相識)xiāngshí(xiang1shi2)

相识 means to get to know each other or to become acquainted. It is commonly used in social contexts when introducing people or when discussing relationships that are not yet close. The nuance implies a level of familiarity that has just started to develop.

Strokes16Frequency#8511DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, making connections and introductions is highly valued, and 相识 often marks the beginning of building a network or friendship. The concept of '关系' (guānxì, relationships) is crucial, with 相识 being the first step.

Memory tip

Imagine two people (相) standing face to face (识), each holding a sign with their names. They are just beginning to recognize each other, hence 'getting to know each other'. The pronunciation 'xiang1 shi2' can be remembered by associating 'xiang' with 'seeing' and 'shi' with 'identity'.

Meanings of 相识

xiāngshí(xiang1shi2)
1to get to know each other
2acquaintance
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About 相识

相识Simplified
相識Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 相识

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Podcast: 相识

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AI study notes for 相识

Quick Contrast

相知 (xiāngzhī) - use 相识 when referring to a more superficial or initial acquaintance, while 相知 implies a deeper understanding and familiarity.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 相识 with 熟悉 (shúxī), which means to be familiar with someone or something. 相识 is more about the initial stage of acquaintance. It is used in informal conversations, particularly in social settings.

HSK Study Tips

For learners at HSK 3 or 4, focus on using 相识 in sentences where you introduce yourself or others. It connects well with vocabulary related to introductions and social interactions, like 朋友 (péngyǒu, friend) and 认识 (rènshi, to know).

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 相识 to mean 'to know' in a general sense, instead of its specific meaning of 'to become acquainted'. For example, saying '我和他相识多年' (I have known him for many years) is incorrect; it should be '我们认识多年' (We have known each other for many years).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 相识

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Component characters

相Xiāngeach other
9 strokes目
View full entry
识shíto know
HSK 67 strokes讠
View full entry

How to say to get to know each other in Chinese

“to get to know each other” in Chinese is相识xiāngshí

相识 means to get to know each other or to become acquainted. It is commonly used in social contexts when introducing people or when discussing relationships that are not yet close. The nuance implies a level of familiarity that has just started to develop.

When to use 相识

Be careful not to confuse 相识 with 熟悉 (shúxī), which means to be familiar with someone or something. 相识 is more about the initial stage of acquaintance. It is used in informal conversations, particularly in social settings.

相识 or something close to it

相知 (xiāngzhī) - use 相识 when referring to a more superficial or initial acquaintance, while 相知 implies a deeper understanding and familiarity.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 相识 to mean 'to know' in a general sense, instead of its specific meaning of 'to become acquainted'. For example, saying '我和他相识多年' (I have known him for many years) is incorrect; it should be '我们认识多年' (We have known each other for many years).

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相
识

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Frequently asked questions about 相识

No, 相识 is typically used for acquaintances or people you are just getting to know, not for family.

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