和气 (hé qi) — (adjective) friendly, polite, amiable; (noun) h… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Refers to a gentle, easy-going manner between people (often a lasting trait rather than one act). Compare 礼貌 (polite manners in a single act) and 友好 (friendly, often between groups/nations).

adjective

friendlypoliteamiable

noun

harmonious relationshipgoodwill

Examples

和气，。
Tā duì rén hěn hé qi, dà jiā dōu hěn xǐ huan tā.
She is very friendly to people, and everyone likes her very much.
和气，。
Zhè wèi lǎo shī shuō huà hé qi, xué shēng men dōu hěn ài tīng.
This teacher speaks amiably, and the students all love to listen.
和气。
Bié yīn wèi zhè diǎn xiǎo shì shāng le hé qi.
Don't damage our friendship over such a small matter.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

和héharmonious

和 brings harmony to 气, the air or manner, giving a friendly tone.

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.

禾口和

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.

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.

气米氣

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.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 HSK 2.0 Level 6 Greetings & Politeness Personality & Traits

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