Definitions

jiāo (verb) to hand over; to deliver; to pay
jiāo (verb) to intersect; to cross
jiāo (verb) to make friends; to associate with

Etymology

Pictograph of a person standing with crossed legs, conveying the meaning "to cross".

About

交 originated as an ideogram depicting a person with legs crossed, illustrating the physical concept of intersection. This core image of crossing provided the basis for its primary meanings: overlapping, intersecting, or meeting at a point. As its use broadened, the character expanded to represent abstract connections like social interaction, the exchange of goods or ideas, and the forming of relationships or friendships. In modern usage, 交 functions as a versatile verb meaning to hand over, deliver, submit, or engage in mutual communication, consistently reflecting the underlying ideas of connection and reciprocity.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

了一个新朋友。

Wǒ jiāo le yī gè xīn péngyǒu.

I made a new friend.

给老师作业。

Tā jiāo gěi lǎoshī zuòyè.

He handed the homework to the teacher.

我们换了礼物。

Wǒmen jiāohuàn le lǐwù.

We exchanged gifts.

通规则很重要。

Jiāotōng guīzé hěn zhòngyào.

Traffic rules are very important.

国际流促进文化发展。

Guójì jiāoliú cùjìn wénhuà fāzhǎn.

International exchange promotes cultural development.

付这个月的报告。

Qǐng jiāofù zhège yuè de bàogào.

Please deliver this month's report.

他们正在涉合同细节。

Tāmen zhèngzài jiāoshè hétóng xìjié.

They are negotiating the details of the contract.

在市场经济中,供求关系相互织。

Zài shìchǎng jīngjì zhōng, gōngqiú guānxi xiānghù jiāozhī.

In a market economy, supply and demand relationships are interwoven.