和平 (Hé píng) — peace | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Used for the absence of war between nations or groups — a serious, often formal word, especially common in political, historical, or news contexts (e.g. 和平谈判 'peace talks'). Not for everyday calm or quiet.

noun

peace

Examples

和平。
Quán shì jiè rén mín dōu kě wàng Hé píng.
People all over the world long for peace.
和平。
Wǒ men yào nǔ lì wéi hù Hé píng.
We must work hard to maintain peace.
和平。
Zhè chǎng zhàn zhēng zhōng yú dài lái le Hé píng.
This war finally brought peace.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

和hépeaceful

和 and 平 both suggest calm and level, forming the idea of peace.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

禾口和

Meaning part形符xíngfú

口口kǒumouth

Sound part声符shēngfú

禾

禾hé和hé

Same sound today

和 pairs 禾, which gives the sound, with 口 (mouth), the meaning part; the reference connects this shape to harmony.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

八八bādivision
亏亏kuīexhaled air

The origin is uncertain. One explanation combines 八 (division) and 亏 (exhaled air) to show smooth speech.

Appears in

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