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

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.