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结交 (jié jiāo) — to make friends with, to befriend (often in a deliberate or formal context)

Definition

结交 is a formal verb meaning to befriend or build a connection with someone, often deliberately or for a purpose (e.g. networking). Stronger and more written than everyday 交朋友.

verb
to make friends withto befriend (often in a deliberate or formal context)

Examples

  • 结交，。
    Tā zài xīn gōng sī nǔ lì jié jiāo tóng shì, yǐ biàn gèng kuài róng rù tuán duì.
    He works hard to befriend colleagues at the new company to integrate into the team faster.
  • ，结交。
    Tōng guò gòng tóng de ài hào, wǒ men hěn kuài jié jiāo le.
    Through shared hobbies, we quickly became friends.
  • 结交。
    Tā shàn cháng jié jiāo yǒu yòng de rén mài.
    She is good at befriending useful contacts.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

结jiétie/bind
交jiāoassociate

结交 combines 结 (tie/bind) and 交 (associate), both expressing the idea of forming a connection.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 結; 结 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
吉
吉jí結jié
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 結 pairs 糸 with 吉; 吉 gives the sound, and 糸 relates to the meaning. The simplified 结 is a later shorthand.

Open 结 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

交 originally drew a human with crossed legs. In the modern shape, the upper part resembles a standing person.

Open 交 →
Appears in
Friends & Social

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