reciprocally

IPA/rɪˈsɪprəkli/
IPA/rɪˈsɪprəkli/

reciprocally — 副詞

1. when two people, groups, or sides each give or do the same thing to one another,

1.副詞C1
釋義

互相地

雙方以相同方式對待彼此

when two people, groups, or sides each give or do the same thing to one another, creating a balanced exchange where both sides receive equal treatment

例句

The two universities agreed to share library resources reciprocally, so both science departments saved money.

這兩所大學同意互相分享圖書館資源，因此兩個科學系都節省了經費。

reciprocally + verb of agreement (agreed to share)

During the merger, Liam's firm and Nikhil's company promised to protect each other's staff reciprocally.

在合併期間，Liam 和 Nikhil 的公司承諾互相保護對方的員工。

同義詞
  • mutually

    the most direct synonym, slightly less formal and more common in everyday use

  • in return

    emphasises that one action is a response to another, often with a time delay

  • correspondingly

    more formal, focuses on logical matching rather than direct exchange

反義詞
  • unilaterally

    describes one side acting alone without expecting anything from the other

  • one-sidedly

    highlights an unequal relationship where only one side gives or benefits

文法句型

reciprocally + verb

verb + reciprocally

用法筆記

Commonly found in formal or academic writing about agreements, treaties, exchanges, and relationships between two parties. The verb it modifies almost always requires a plural or collective subject — you cannot use it with a singular subject that acts alone.

常見錯誤

❌Aiko and Yuki scored 85 and 90 reciprocally.
✅Aiko and Yuki scored 85 and 90 respectively.
💡'Respectively' pairs each person with their result in order; 'reciprocally' means each gives or receives the same thing to or from the other.

2. describes a situation where two things have an opposite or reversed connection —

2.副詞C2
釋義

相反地

反向或對立的關係

describes a situation where two things have an opposite or reversed connection — when one goes up, the other goes down, or when one is true, the opposite is also true

例句

In economics, supply and demand are linked reciprocally — as one rises, the other falls.

在經濟學中，供給與需求呈反比關係——一個上升，另一個就下降。

reciprocally + linked (describing inverse connection)

Researchers found the two variables changed reciprocally: when one rose, the other fell.

研究人員發現這兩個變數呈反向變化：一個上升時，另一個就下降。

changed reciprocally: [specific example] clause

同義詞
  • inversely

    more specific to mathematical and scientific contexts; the closest synonym for this sense

  • conversely

    used to introduce a contrasting statement in arguments and reasoning, not limited to measurable relationships

  • vice versa

    a fixed Latin phrase meaning the opposite order is also true, common in informal and formal writing

反義詞
  • proportionally

    describes a relationship where changes move in the same direction, the opposite of an inverse relationship

  • directly

    indicates that two things are connected in a straightforward way without reversal

文法句型

reciprocally + adjective (e.g., reciprocally related)

verb + reciprocally

用法筆記

Frequently used in mathematics, science, and logic to describe inverse relationships. The word or phrase it modifies typically expresses a connection (related, linked, connected, affected) rather than a single action.

常見錯誤

❌The two numbers increased reciprocally.' (Unclear what the relationship is)
✅The two numbers changed reciprocally: when one doubled, the other was cut in half.
💡Add a specific example to show the inverse pattern clearly.