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和 (hé) — gentle, mild; harmonious

Definition

As an adjective, 和 (hé) describes a gentle, mild manner or a harmonious atmosphere — broader in scope than 温和 (climate/character) and 平和 (temperament/atmosphere). It is read hé here, not huó or huò.

adjective
gentlemildharmonious
Easily confused

Examples

  • ，。
    Tā de xìng gé hěn wēn hé, dà jiā dōu hěn xǐ huan tā.
    His personality is very gentle; everyone likes him.
  • 。
    Zhè shǒu qǔ zi tīng qǐ lái hěn hé xié yōu měi.
    This piece of music sounds harmonious and beautiful.
  • 。
    Chuāng wài chuán lái yí zhèn róu hé de fēng.
    A gentle breeze came in through the window.

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
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.

Grammar

Appears in
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