和顺 (Hé shùn) — amiable, gentle (of a person's character); soothing, mild (of weather, voice, etc.)

Definition

Describes a person who is gentle and easy to get along with, or something (weather, medicine, voice) that feels calming and mild. Stronger and more literary than the everyday 温柔, and not the same as 温和 (which often describes tempers in the moment).

adjective
amiablegentle (of a person's character)soothingmild (of weather, voice, etc.)

Examples

  • 和顺，。
    Tā xìng gé Hé shùn, dà jiā dōu xǐ huan hé tā xiāng chǔ.
    Her personality is amiable, and everyone enjoys being with her.
  • 和顺，。
    Zhè zhǒng yào de yào xìng Hé shùn, shì hé cháng qī fú yòng.
    This medicine has a soothing nature, suitable for long-term use.
  • 和顺，。
    Qiū tiān de fēng Hé shùn ér wēn róu, ràng rén gǎn jué hěn shū fu.
    The autumn breeze is soothing and gentle, making people feel very comfortable.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

和hégentle
顺shùnsmooth

和 and 顺 join gentleness with smoothness, giving an amiable, soothing quality.

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.

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.

Open 和 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 順; 顺 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
頁頁yè
Sound part声符shēngfú
川
川chuān順shùn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 順 pairs 川 (river), which gives the sound, with 頁 (head); the picture is a head in a river, following the current. The simplified 顺 is a shorthand.

Open 顺 →

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