交わす

かわす
Alternative writings: 交す
JLPT:N1
Frequency:
1

To exchange things such as greetings, messages, or words; to exchange communication or feelings.

U-VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

駅で旧友と挨拶を交わした。

I exchanged greetings with an old friend at the station.

二人は短い手紙を交わして別れた。

The two exchanged brief letters before parting.

会議のあとで名刺を交わす時間があった。

After the meeting there was time to exchange business cards.

2

To intersect, cross, or interlace (e.g., swords, lines, gazes); can describe physical crossing or meeting.

U-VerbTransitive Verb

Examples

試合で二人の剣が激しく交わした。

In the match, the two swords clashed fiercely.

向かい合って目を交わすと、無言で頷いた。

Facing each other, they exchanged glances and nodded without a word.

3

As a suffix attached to the masu-stem of a verb, it indicates doing something with one another — roughly equivalent to “to each other” or “mutually ~”.

SuffixU-Verb

Examples

通りですれ違った人と軽く会釈をし、少し話し交わした。

I nodded slightly to the person I passed on the street and exchanged a few words.

手を振り合い、最後にもう一度握手を交わした。

They waved to each other and finally exchanged one last handshake.

Masu-Form交わします
Nai-Form交わさない
Ta-Form交わした
Te-Form交わして
Ba-Form交わせば
Volitional Form交わそう
Imperative Form交わせ
Potential Form交わせる
Passive Form交わされる
Causative Form交わさせる
Causative Passive Form交わさせられる