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March 24, 2026
相当(相當)xiāngdāng(xiang1dang1)
相当 (xiāngdāng) means 'equivalent to' or 'considerably.' It is often used to indicate that something has a degree of appropriateness or similarity to another thing. Common contexts include discussing quantities, qualities, or comparisons, such as saying something is 'quite good' or 'fairly expensive.'
Frequency#1232DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of equivalence is often tied to social harmony and balance, making 相当 an important term in discussions about fairness or equality in various contexts, such as business negotiations.
Memory Tip
Think of 相 (xiāng) as 'mutual' and 当 (dāng) as 'to act or serve.' Imagine two friends mutually serving the same role in a situation, making them equivalent or equal. This connection helps you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation.
Meanings of 相当
xiāngdāng(xiang1dang1)
1equivalent to
2appropriate
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 相当
相当Simplified
相當Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#1232Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 相当
Podcast: 相当
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AI Study Notes for 相当
Quick Contrast
相当 (xiāngdāng) vs 相似 (xiāngsì) — use 相当 when indicating a degree of equivalence or appropriateness, while 相似 emphasizes similarity without implying a specific degree.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 相 (xiāng) as 'mutual' and 当 (dāng) as 'to act or serve.' Imagine two friends mutually serving the same role in a situation, making them equivalent or equal. This connection helps you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 相当 with its synonyms like 适合 (shìhé) which means 'suitable.' It is more informal and can be used in both spoken and written contexts. Common collocations include '相当高' (fairly high) or '相当大' (considerably large).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 相当 connects with other comparative adjectives and adverbs. Focus on understanding its applications in sentences and practice forming comparisons to strengthen your vocabulary base.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of equivalence is often tied to social harmony and balance, making 相当 an important term in discussions about fairness or equality in various contexts, such as business negotiations.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 相当 with synonyms like 相似 (xiāngsì), which means 'similar.' For example, saying '这件衣服相当相似' is incorrect. Instead, use '这件衣服相当贵' to convey that it is quite expensive.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 相当
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Grammar Patterns of 相当
相当 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
A small but significant number of 11-year-olds are illiterate.
7
查阅他的客户名单是个相当费劲的活儿。
chá yuè tā de kè hù míng dān shì gè xiāng dāng fèi jìn de huó ér。
Going through his list of customers is a massive job.
8
我认为自己已经做得相当好了。
wǒ rèn wéi zì jǐ yǐ jīng zuò dé xiāng dāng hǎo le。
I flatter myself I've done it all rather well.
9
她自己的12幅画卖得相当好，多半卖给了朋友和家人。
tā zì jǐ de12 12 fú huà mài dé xiāng dāng， hǎo ， duō bàn mài gěi le péng yǒu hé。
Her own twelve pictures sold fairly well, mostly to friends and family.
10
他表现得相当好。
tā biǎo xiàn dé xiāng dāng hǎo。
He plays quite well.
Cultural Notes for 相当
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of equivalence is often tied to social harmony and balance, making 相当 an important term in discussions about fairness or equality in various contexts, such as business negotiations.
Frequently Asked Questions about 相当
Yes, 相当 is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
While both imply a degree of something, 相当 suggests a comparative measure, whereas 很 simply means 'very.'
You can use it like this: '这件衣服相当贵' (This piece of clothing is quite expensive).
