相处
xiāngchǔ · HSK 4
get along (with one another)
🤝 相处 = mutual (相) + dwell/be at (处) — mutually being together
相 means mutual or each other; 处 means to be situated or to handle. Together they describe two people mutually situated in each other's lives — i.e. getting along day to day.
处 — 夂 (foot) + 几 (low table/stool)
Originally depicted a person stopping (夂, an inverted foot) beside a stool (几), suggesting someone settling down in a place. From 'to dwell/stay' the meaning broadened to 'place, location' (chù) and 'to handle, deal with' (chǔ). The simplified form drops the older 虍 top found in 處.