相认 (xiāng rèn) is a verb meaning 'to recognize each other' or 'to reunite after separation and confirm mutual identity.' The character 相 (xiāng) means 'mutual' or 'each other,' while 认 (rèn) means 'to recognize,' 'to identify,' or 'to acknowledge.' Together, they emphasize a two-way act of recognition — not just one person identifying another, but both parties confirming their relationship or identity. This word often carries emotional weight, especially in contexts involving long-lost family members, adopted children meeting birth parents, or separated friends reuniting after many years.

Unlike the simpler 认 (rèn), which can mean 'to recognize' unidirectionally (e.g., recognizing a face), 相认 implies reciprocity and intentionality — it's typically used when people actively seek or accept reconnection. It frequently appears in storytelling, news reports about family reunions, and emotional dialogues, but rarely in casual daily speech unless the situation is genuinely significant.