<p>I am sure all three terms can be found in dictionaries, but some of the definitions might overlap and cause new learners confusion, I think it is better to just list their main difference in my answer:</p>

<p>交流 = interact / exchange</p>

<p>交際 = socialize</p>

<p>溝通 = communicate</p>

<p>Examples:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>文化交流 (cultural exchange) ; 互相交流 ( interact with each other) </p></li>
<li><p>交際應酬 ( socialize and partying) ；與上流社會交際 (socialize with the upper class ) </p></li>
<li><p>無法溝通 (unable to communicate); 以眼神溝通 ( communicate with looks in the eyes)</p></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-23T12:05:57.300Z
2016-08-23T12:05:57.300Z
Tang Ho
<p>交流， communication / exchanging ideas</p>

<p>交际， socializing</p>

<p>沟通, talking about something frankly</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-26T04:35:07.680Z
2016-08-26T04:35:07.680Z
Rayray
<p>I like using linedict.com for this, you can find example sentences which help us 老外 see how words are used.</p>

<p><a href="http://ce.linedict.com/dict.html#/cnen/example?query=%E4%BA%A4%E6%B5%81" rel="nofollow">http://ce.linedict.com/dict.html#/cnen/example?query=%E4%BA%A4%E6%B5%81</a></p>

<p>Click the radio button Examples and enter a word. You get examples with English translations.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-23T23:11:08.573Z
2016-08-23T23:11:08.573Z
Gangosa
<p>Informal speaking, “交流” is like exchanging idea and information.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-23T11:58:57.077Z
2016-08-23T11:58:57.077Z
miaoever
<p>交流:talk in forum,exchange each other.</p>

<p>交际:make friends or something like that. or other mean talk in part-->noun,like 交际能力：ability of socialize</p>

<p>沟通:still means talk,but usual talk for some purpose ,like change other person mind</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-24T05:51:19.317Z
2016-08-24T05:51:19.317Z
Kevin Zhu
<p>交流= vt.communicate, 
          n. Communication
交际= n. Social networks
沟通= vt. Deeply communicate </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-24T04:34:59.043Z
2016-08-24T04:34:59.043Z
Bright 
<p>I can't quite distinguish them, because "communication" is always social? 
I guess 交际 is like my social skills and 沟通 is used with "dispute" but is that it and what about 交流？</p>

<mandarin><difference><meaning-in-context>
交流，交际，沟通: whats the difference?
# 交流，交际，沟通: whats the difference?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-08-23)

I can't quite distinguish them, because "communication" is always social?
I guess 交际 is like my social skills and 沟通 is used with "dispute" but is that it and what about 交流？

**Tags:** mandarin, difference, meaning-in-context


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## 6 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-08-23. Score: 3

I am sure all three terms can be found in dictionaries, but some of the definitions might overlap and cause new learners confusion, I think it is better to just list their main difference in my answer:

交流 = interact / exchange

交際 = socialize

溝通 = communicate

Examples:

* 文化交流 (cultural exchange) ; 互相交流 ( interact with each other)
* 交際應酬 ( socialize and partying) ；與上流社會交際 (socialize with the upper class )
* 無法溝通 (unable to communicate); 以眼神溝通 ( communicate with looks in the eyes)


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### Answer by username_2 on 2016-08-26. Score: 0

交流， communication / exchanging ideas

交际， socializing

沟通, talking about something frankly


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### Answer by username_3 on 2016-08-23. Score: 0

I like using linedict.com for this, you can find example sentences which help us 老外 see how words are used.

<http://ce.linedict.com/dict.html#/cnen/example?query=%E4%BA%A4%E6%B5%81>

Click the radio button Examples and enter a word. You get examples with English translations.


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### Answer by username_4 on 2016-08-23. Score: 0

Informal speaking, “交流” is like exchanging idea and information.


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### Answer by username_5 on 2016-08-24. Score: 0

交流:talk in forum,exchange each other.

交际:make friends or something like that. or other mean talk in part-->noun,like 交际能力：ability of socialize

沟通:still means talk,but usual talk for some purpose ,like change other person mind


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### Answer by username_6 on 2016-08-24. Score: -1

交流= vt.communicate,
n. Communication
交际= n. Social networks
沟通= vt. Deeply communicate


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