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舒缓 (shū huǎn) — (of tempo, mood, movement) relaxed, leisurely, soothing; (of a slope, gradient) gentle, gradual

Definition

Adjective for things (tempo, mood, slope) that feel easy and unhurried — 'relaxed and gentle.' Pairs with rhythm, tone, and gradient; not used for people.

adjective
(of tempo, mood, movement) relaxedleisurelysoothing(of a slope, gradient) gentlegradual

Examples

  • 舒缓。
    Zhè shǒu qǔ zi de jié zòu hěn shū huǎn.
    The rhythm of this piece is very soothing.
  • 舒缓，。
    Zhè tiáo lù de pō dù hěn shū huǎn, kāi chē hěn ān quán.
    The slope of this road is very gentle; it's safe to drive.
  • 舒缓，。
    Tā shuō huà de yǔ qì hěn shū huǎn, ràng rén gǎn jué hěn fàng sōng.
    Her tone of voice is very gentle, making people feel relaxed.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

舒shūrelaxed
缓huǎnslow

舒 and 缓 both convey ease and slowness, so together they describe a gentle, relaxed pace.

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
舍舍shè
Sound part声符shēngfú
予
予yǔ舒shū
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

舒 is made from 舍 and 予: 舍 supplies the meaning, while 予 supplies the sound.

Open 舒 →

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 緩; 缓 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mìsilk
Sound part声符shēngfú
爰
爰yuán緩huǎn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 緩 pairs 糸 (silk) with 爰, which gives the sound; the simplified 缓 is a later shorthand.

Open 缓 →
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