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心平气和 (xīn píng qì hé) — calm and composed; even-tempered; in a peaceful state of mind

Definition

An idiom meaning calm and even-tempered in attitude or speech. Often used to describe how someone handles conflict or communicates, more literary than the everyday phrase 不着急/不发脾气.

idiom
calm and composedeven-temperedin a peaceful state of mind

Examples

  • 心平气和，。
    Yù dào wèn tí yào xīn píng qì hé dì gōu tōng, bú yào fā pí qi.
    When you encounter a problem, you should communicate calmly and not lose your temper.
  • 心平气和，。
    Tā shuō huà zǒng shì xīn píng qì hé de, ràng rén jué de hěn shū fu.
    He always speaks in a calm and gentle manner, which makes people feel very comfortable.
  • 心平气和，。
    Kǎo shì qián bǎo chí xīn píng qì hé, cái néng fā huī chū zhèng cháng shuǐ píng.
    Staying calm before an exam is the only way to perform at your normal level.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

心平heart is calm
心xīnheart平píngcalm
主谓Subject + predicate
气和spirit is harmonious
气qìspirit和héharmonious
主谓Subject + predicate

心平 says the heart is calm, and 气和 says the spirit is harmonious; together they describe an even temperament.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 心 comes from a drawing of a heart, now highly stylized.

Open 心 →

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 氣; 气 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
米米mǐrice
Sound part声符shēngfú
气
气qì氣qì
Same sound today

The traditional form 氣 pairs 米 (rice) with 气, which supplies the sound; the simplified 气 is a later abbreviation.

Open 气 →

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
Emotions & FeelingsIdioms & Set Phrases

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