恬 (tián) — (bound form) peaceful, quiet, serene

Definition

恬 is a bound morpheme (always combines with another character) meaning 'peaceful, calm, undisturbed.' Often pairs with 淡 or 静 — as in 恬淡 (untroubled, indifferent) or 恬静 (serene).

bound form
peacefulquietserene
Easily confused

Examples

  • 。
    Tā xǐ huan tián jìng de shēng huó.
    She likes a peaceful and quiet life.
  • 恬。
    Nà fú huà gěi rén yì zhǒng tián shì de gǎn jué.
    That painting gives people a serene and comfortable feeling.
  • 恬，。
    Tā xìng gé tián dàn, bù zhuī qiú míng lì.
    His character is indifferent to fame and fortune.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
甜
甜tián恬tián
Same sound today

恬 is built from 心 (heart) and 甜; the heart part shows the meaning is about the mind or feelings, while 甜 gives the sound.

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