交换 jiāohuàn to exchange
to exchange; to swap; to switch (telecom); commutative (math); to commute
How to remember 交换: 交 hand over + 换 change = to exchange.
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How it is used
- Means to swap or exchange discrete things: 交换意见 (exchange opinions), 交换礼物 (exchange gifts), 交换生 (exchange student).
- Differs from 交流 (jiāoliú), which is about the ongoing flow of communication or ideas - 文化交流, cultural exchange - rather than a one-for-one swap; 交换 implies each side gives something and gets something back.