relative
Definitions
A person connected to others by blood or marriage; a family member.
亲戚，亲属。
Considered in relation or proportion to something else; comparative rather than absolute.
相对的，比较而言的。
(grammar) Referring back to an earlier noun, as in a relative clause or pronoun.
（语法）关系的，如关系从句、关系代词。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedre- (back) + lāt (carried) + -ive (tending to) = 'tending to be carried back to / connected.' As a noun, the people you're connected to = relatives. As an adjective, something judged by carrying it back against something else = relative, comparative (not absolute).
Root lat still carries 15 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.close relative近亲
- 2.distant relative远亲
- 3.relative to相对于
- 4.relative importance相对重要性
Example Sentences
- 1.
All my close relatives came to the wedding.
- 2.
The relative calm of the village surprised the tourists.
- 3.
Their wealth is only relative to the poverty around them.
Easily Confused
relative vs relevant — both come from related ideas of connection, but relative means 'in comparison to' (relative humidity, a relative) while relevant means 'connected to the matter at hand' (a relevant point). 'Relative to X' = compared with X; 'relevant to X' = pertinent to X.