互相、相互、尽量、亲自
each other · as much as possible · in person
Structure
互相／相互 + 动词 · 尽量 + 动词 · 亲自 + 动词
What it means
互相／相互 “each other”, 尽量 “as much as possible, do your best to”, 亲自 “in person, yourself”.
How it is built
All go right before the verb: 邻居们应该互相帮助 (Neighbours should help each other). 我会尽量早一点儿来. 这件事我要亲自去办.
When to use it
互相 and 相互 mean the same: 互相 is the everyday word, 相互 a little more formal. 亲自 stresses that someone does it in person instead of sending someone else.
Watch out
互相 already means “each other”, so don’t add a person after the verb. ✗ 他们互相帮助他们。 ✓ 他们互相帮助。
Examples
邻居们应该互相帮助。
Neighbours should help each other.
我会尽量早一点儿来。
I’ll try to come as early as I can.
这件事我要亲自去办。
I want to take care of this myself.
Learn this in HSK 3 · Lesson 2: 新邻居 (Neighbours)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
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