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平和 (píng hé) — gentle, mild, placid (of temperament, tone, attitude, or atmosphere)

Definition

平和 emphasizes a calm, undisturbed quality — of mood, tone, or a situation — free from conflict or agitation. 温和 focuses more on warmth in character or climate; 安详 is a composed expression or demeanor.

adjective
gentlemildplacid (of temperament, tone, attitude, or atmosphere)

Examples

  • 平和，。
    Tā shuō huà de yǔ qì hěn píng hé, ràng rén jué de hěn shū fu.
    Her tone of voice is very gentle, making people feel comfortable.
  • 平和，。
    Zhè ge dì qū jú shì píng hé, méi yǒu chōng tū.
    The situation in this region is peaceful, with no conflict.
  • 平和，。
    Tā xīn tài píng hé, cóng bù jí zào.
    He has a calm mindset and never gets impatient.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

平píngcalm
和hégentle

平 (calm) and 和 (gentle) combine to describe a mild tone or temperament.

Characters in this word

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

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

Open 平 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Personality & Traits

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