過去側重於探究「相」的詞性，而本文從激進構式語法的觀點，釐析先秦「相」的語義功能，提出「相」是個參與標記，在定型複合［相V］中註記「有兩方參與者涉及該謂語所表示的事件」。本文在先前對先秦普通動詞與謂語類型的研究基礎上，將［相V］分為［相V致使］、［相V達成﹞和［相V狀態］三類，指出它們分別表示「集合體內某一方對另一方做某事」、「集合體內某兩方共同經歷某種狀態的變化」以及「集合體內某一方和另一方性狀的比較」，並藉由心理空間理論闡釋這三種構式義。此外，還指出傳統所謂偏指之「相」是從［相V致使］發展而來，其演變關鍵是［S+ REF, +/- DEF, COLLECTIVITY+相V致使］到［S+ REF, + DEF, INDIVIDUALITY+相V致使］。

This paper attempts to clarify the semantic functions of 相xiāng in Pre-Qin Chinese from a Radical Construction Grammar perspective. I propose that 相xiāng is a participation marker in the patterned-compounding [相xiāng V], which signals that there are two parties involved in the event that is represented by the verb. Based on research on Pre-Qin Chinese common verbs, this paper classifies [相xiāng V] into three categories, namely [相xiāng VCAUSATIVE], [相xiāng VINCHOATIVE] and [相xiāng VSTATIVE], representing, respectively, the event of one party doing something to another party in the same group, the event of both parties in a group undergoing the same change of state, and the comparison of the characteristics of two parties in a group. I also use Mental Space Theory to show that these three [相xiāng V] patterned-compounding constructions are cognitively-based. It is pointed out that 偏指之相 piānzhĭ zhī xiāng evolved from [相xiāng VCAUSATIVE], and the shift from [S + REF, +/- DEF, COLLECTIVITY +相xiāng VCAUSATIVE] to [S + REF, + DEF, INDIVIDUALITY +相xiāng VCAUSATIVE] was the crucial change.