jiāo HSK 4

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

请交作业。
Qǐng jiāo zuòyè.
Please hand in your homework.
我交了一个新朋友。
Wǒ jiāo le yī gè xīn péngyou.
I made a new friend.
他们交了很多钱。
Tāmen jiāo le hěn duō qián.
They paid a lot of money.
我交作业。
Wǒ jiāo zuòyè.
I hand in homework.
他交朋友。
Tā jiāo péngyou.
He makes friends.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of the character 交 as two people (the top part resembles a person) crossing paths and exchanging something—in this case, friendship. The word sounds like 'jiao', similar to the start of 'join'.

📝 Usage Notes

It is a neutral word used in both spoken and written Chinese. When meaning 'to make friends', it is most commonly used in the phrase 交朋友. It can also be used in other contexts like 交作业 (hand in homework) or 交钱 (pay money).

📖 Grammar Points

It is a transitive verb. Common pattern: Subject + 交 + Object (e.g., 交朋友, 交作业). It can be modified by adverbs like 想, 希望, 喜欢 (e.g., 我想交朋友).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, the concept of 交朋友 often implies a sense of commitment and sincerity in the relationship, not just casual acquaintance. The phrase carries a positive social value.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 做朋友 (which focuses on the state 'to be friends'), 交朋友 emphasizes the active process of 'making' or 'becoming' friends. It differs from 认识 (to know/meet someone) as it implies a deeper, intentional establishment of friendship.

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