互补

hù bǔ

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Rare

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Definitions

1. complementary
2. to complement each other

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 互斥 hù chì 互斥 hù chì mutually exclusive 相互排斥，而非互补: mutually exclusive

Related words

1 item

• 搭配 dā pèi 搭配 dā pèi to pair up 两者配合，形成互补效果: to pair up

Synonyms

2 items

• 补充 bǔ chōng 补充 bǔ chōng to replenish 功能上相互增强或完善: to replenish
• 相辅相成 xiāng fǔ xiāng chéng 相辅相成 xiāng fǔ xiāng chéng to complement one another (idiom) 互相配合、互相补充: to complement one another (idiom)

Usage notes

Collocations

Often used with 优势 (互补优势) or 性格 (性格互补). Rarely used with inanimate objects without inherent interdependence.

Common mistakes

互补 is intransitive; avoid *A 互补 B. Use A 和 B 互补 or A 与 B 互补 instead.

Example Sentences

1 shown

他们的技能 互补 ，合作得很顺利。

Their skills complement each other, so they cooperated very smoothly.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 互补

• 碱基互补配对 碱基互补配对 jiǎn jī hù bǔ pèi duì: complementary base pairing e.g. adenine A 腺嘌呤 pairs with thymine T 胸腺嘧啶 in DNA

Child Words of 互补

• 补 补 bǔ: to repair
• 互 互 hù: mutual