Common Meanings
1
xiāng相
Mutual; reciprocal; each other; similar or identical.
我们从小就相识，是最好的朋友。
We have known each other since childhood and are the best of friends.
Actions directed from one party to another; mutually; to each other.
他们俩相处得很好。
The two of them get along very well.
To personally examine or choose, to take a fancy to (e.g., a potential partner, an item).
她一眼就相中了这件衣服
She took a fancy to this dress at first sight.
2
xiàng相
Appearance; looks; aspect. Refers to one's facial features or overall look.
我们一起去公园照相吧。
Let's go to the park together to take photos.
The appearance or phase of an object.
今晚的月相很美。
Tonight's moon phase is very beautiful.
to examine or judge, often referring to physiognomy (face reading) or fortune-telling by appearance.
那位老人懂得相面，能说出很多关于未来的事情。
That old man understands physiognomy and can tell many things about the future.
An assistant or highest official, especially in ancient times; prime minister.
这位宰相深受百姓爱戴。
This prime minister was deeply loved by the common people.
a high-ranking government official, often equivalent to a minister or secretary of state in some traditional or historical contexts.
他曾是一位著名的宰相。
He was once a famous prime minister.
A component or stage in an AC circuit; phase.
这是一种三相交流电机。
This is a three-phase AC motor.
A physical or chemical state of a substance.
在物理学中，物质可以存在于固态、液态、气态等不同的相。
In physics, matter can exist in different phases, such as solid, liquid, and gas.
In physics, '相' (xiàng) refers to 'phase' or 'phase angle', which describes the state of a periodically varying quantity at a given point in its cycle.
电器的启动需要考虑电压和电流之间的相位差。
The startup of electrical appliances requires considering the phase difference between voltage and current.