HSK 3
方式副词：互相、尽量、亲自、相互
fāng shì fù cí ： hù xiāng 、 jǐn liàng 、 qīn zì 、 xiāng hù
Adverbs of manner: 互相, 尽量, 亲自, 相互
Explanation
These are adverbs (words that modify a verb or adjective) indicating the manner in which an action is carried out: 互相 (hùxiāng) and 相互 (xiānghù) both mean "each other, mutually"; 尽量 (jǐnliàng) means "as much as possible, to the fullest"; 亲自 (qīnzì) means "personally, in person".
Subject + 互相 / 相互 / 尽量 / 亲自 + verb. These adverbs are placed before the verb, functioning as adverbials.
互相 / 相互 when the action goes back and forth between two sides, such as 互相帮助 (help each other), 相互照顾 (look after each other); 尽量 when expressing maximum effort, such as 尽量克服 (try one's best to overcome); 亲自 when emphasizing that the person themselves does it directly, such as 亲自联系 (contact in person).
互相 and 相互 are nearly synonymous; 互相 leans toward spoken language and stands before a verb, while 相互 is more formal and can sometimes modify a noun (such as 相互关系 - mutual relationship).
since 互相 already means "each other", there is no need to add an object (the target of the action) referring to the other party afterward; saying 互相帮助 is enough, not 互相帮助别人. Do not place these adverbs after the verb.
Examples
Everyone should help each other.
Volunteers should try their best to overcome difficulties on their own.
The principal personally contacts the companies where students do their internships.
We should care for each other and look after each other.
Practice
Test your understanding with a quick quiz
Learn “方式副词：互相、尽量、亲自、相互” effectively
The grammar point “方式副词：互相、尽量、亲自、相互” (Adverbs of manner: 互相, 尽量, 亲自, 相互) is one of the key structures at HSK 3. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
You can also view the full “” lesson to understand the related grammar and vocabulary more deeply.