安 (ān) — (adjective) calm, peaceful, safe, secure; (verb) to calm, to reassure; (verb) to install, to fit
Definition
As a bound character, 安 adds meaning to compounds like 安心 (calm down) and 安装 (install). As a standalone adjective it means calm/safe; 安宁 is a more literary, fully-formed synonym, while 平安 means 'safe and sound' (often as a greeting).
adjective
calmpeacefulsafesecure
verb
to calmto reassureto installto fit
Examples
- ，。Nǐ ān xīn ba, wǒ hěn kuài jiù dào.Don't worry, I'll be there soon.
- 。Shī fu zhèng zài ān zhuāng xīn de rè shuǐ qì.The master is installing a new water heater.
- ，。Zhù nǐ yí lù píng ān, wàn shì rú yì.Wish you a safe journey and all the best.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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
宀宀mián
Sound part声符shēngfú
女
女nǚ安ān
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
In 安, 宀 sits above a seated 女 on a cushion; 宀 is the meaning part, 女 is the sound part, and the character originally meant sitting at ease.
Appears in
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