相知

xiāngzhī
verb #35,051

Meanings

  1. 1 to know each other well
  2. 2 to be close friends
  3. 3 (noun) a close friend / kindred spirit

Examples

Wǒmen xiāngzhī duō nián, wú huà bù tán.
We have known each other intimately for years; there's nothing we won't discuss.
Rénshēng dé yī xiāngzhī zú yǐ.
Finding even one true kindred spirit in life is enough.

Tips

register
Literary/elevated tone — common in poetry, song lyrics and formal toasts, less in everyday speech (where 知己 or 朋友 are more natural). The set phrase 相知 means 'wishing we'd met sooner' — a classic compliment to a new close friend.

Stroke Order

xiāng
zhī