相 means “mutual, each other”
そう · sou
Also: inter-, together
- Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)
- あい-
- On'yomi (Chinese reading)
- ソウ, ショウ
JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 3 · 9 strokes
The story
An eye (目) looking at a tree (木), and picture the tree looking back. 相 is two sides facing each other: 相手 is the person across from you, and 相談 is talking a problem over together.
Used in 相手 (aite, partner/opponent), 相談 (soudan, consultation), and 首相 (shushou, prime minister)
More from Ties & Differences
- 関 connection
- 平 flat
- 共 together
- 交 cross
- 側 side
- 違 differ
- 差 difference
- 横 side
- 雑 mixed
- 互 each other
- 似 resemble
- 緒 together
Learn 相 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji
Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.