交
jiāo
mix
At a glance · 交

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

交 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 交 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 交 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 交 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 交 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 交 Regular script
    Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested:oracle bone form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

「交」甲骨文象人两腿交叉之形,金文小篆承之。

What the sketch shows

交 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「交」本义为交叉、交错,引申交往、交结、朋友。

Structure

象形字,象人交胫之形,本为交叉、交结。

At a glance

Pinyinjiāo
Radical亠
Strokes6
UnicodeU+4EA4
Character type象形
Theme人伦

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English mix mix; intersect; exchange, communicate; deliver
Français ami / échanger Ami, échanger. «交友投分» : lier amitié.
Español amigo / intercambiar Amigo, intercambiar. «交友投分»: trabar amistad.
العربية صديق / يتبادل صديق، يتبادل. «交友投分»: عقد الصداقة.
Русский друг / обмениваться Друг, обмениваться. «交友投分»: завязывать дружбу.

Common words

  • 交流jiāo liúexchange
  • 交通jiāo tōngtraffic