交情 (jiāo qíng) literally combines 交 (jiāo), meaning 'to interact' or 'to associate', and 情 (qíng), meaning 'feeling' or 'emotion'. Together, they refer to the mutual affection, trust, and familiarity developed between people through ongoing interaction — essentially 'friendship' or 'rapport'. Unlike the more general word 朋友 (péng you, 'friend'), 交情 emphasizes the depth, history, and emotional bond of a relationship, often implying long-standing or meaningful connection.

This word is commonly used in spoken and written Chinese to describe relationships among peers, colleagues, or acquaintances — especially when discussing how well people know or get along with each other. It appears frequently in contexts like business networking, family introductions, or reflections on personal relationships. While it carries warmth, it’s slightly more formal or literary than casual terms like 关系 (guān xì, 'relationship') and doesn’t imply romantic involvement.