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March 24, 2026
相片()xiàngpiàn(xiang4pian4)
相片 (xiàngpiàn) refers to a photograph or image, typically one that is printed or developed from a camera. It is commonly used in everyday conversations when discussing pictures taken during events, travels, or family gatherings. The term combines the characters for 'mutual' or 'each other' (相) and 'flat' or 'slice' (片), which together evoke the idea of a captured moment in a two-dimensional form.
Frequency#5748DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sharing 相片 is an important way to maintain connections with family and friends, especially during festivals or significant life events. Digital photography has become increasingly prevalent, but printed photos still hold sentimental value during gatherings.
Memory Tip
Think of 相 (xiàng) as two people facing each other, capturing each other's image, while 片 (piàn) can remind you of a flat piece of paper. Together, imagine taking a flat piece of paper (the photo) that showcases mutual memories shared between friends or family.
Meanings of 相片
xiàngpiàn(xiang4pian4)
1image
2photograph
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About 相片
相片Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
张Measure Word
HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 相片
Podcast: 相片
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AI Study Notes for 相片
Quick Contrast
照片 (zhàopiàn) vs 相片 (xiàngpiàn) — use 相片 for a more casual or everyday context, while 照片 can imply a more formal or technical image.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 相 (xiàng) as two people facing each other, capturing each other's image, while 片 (piàn) can remind you of a flat piece of paper. Together, imagine taking a flat piece of paper (the photo) that showcases mutual memories shared between friends or family.
Usage Notes
When using 相片, it's important to remember that it is more common in informal contexts. In formal writing, you might encounter 照片 (zhàopiàn) instead. Additionally, learners often confuse 相片 with the word for 'painting' (画), so be sure to use 相片 specifically for photographs.
HSK Study Tips
相片 is a useful word for HSK Level 3 learners as it relates to common topics like family and travel. Focus on practicing sentences about your experiences with photographs, as this will help reinforce vocabulary related to memories and sharing moments.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, sharing 相片 is an important way to maintain connections with family and friends, especially during festivals or significant life events. Digital photography has become increasingly prevalent, but printed photos still hold sentimental value during gatherings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 相片 in place of 照片 when speaking formally. For example, saying '我有很多相片' in a formal presentation may not be appropriate; instead, use '我有很多照片'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 相片
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Cultural Notes for 相片
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, sharing 相片 is an important way to maintain connections with family and friends, especially during festivals or significant life events. Digital photography has become increasingly prevalent, but printed photos still hold sentimental value during gatherings.
Frequently Asked Questions about 相片
Yes, 相片 (xiàngpiàn) and 照片 (zhàopiàn) can often be used interchangeably, both meaning 'photo.' However, 照片 is more commonly used in everyday language, while 相片 may have a slightly more formal or artistic connotation.
You can use 相片 in sentences like '我喜欢看相片' (Wǒ xǐhuān kàn xiàngpiàn), which means 'I like looking at photographs.' It’s often used to refer to memories captured in pictures, whether in physical albums or digital formats.
相片 (xiàngpiàn) means 'photograph' or 'picture' in Chinese. It refers specifically to a printed or digital image captured by a camera. This term is commonly used in everyday conversation when discussing photos.
Yes, 相片 can refer to both printed and digital photographs.
It's more common in informal contexts; for formal writing, 照片 is preferred.
You can say 拍照 (pāi zhào) to express the action of taking a photo.
