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宁静 (níng jìng) — tranquil; serene; peaceful

Definition

宁静 (níng jìng) is a literary adjective for a deep, settled tranquility — often used for scenery, atmosphere, or nights. More elevated and written than 平静, and broader than 寂静 (which emphasizes absence of sound).

adjective
tranquilserenepeaceful

Examples

  • 宁静。
    Qiū tiān de shù lín hěn níng jìng.
    The autumn forest is very serene.
  • 宁静。
    Tā xǐ huan zài níng jìng de yè wǎn kàn shū.
    He likes to read on quiet nights.
  • 宁静。
    Yǔ hòu de kōng qì gé wài níng jìng.
    The air after the rain is exceptionally tranquil.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

宁níngpeaceful
静jìngquiet

宁 and 静 both express calmness, reinforcing the sense of tranquility.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 寧; 宁 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánhouse
  • 皿皿mǐnfood or wine vessel
  • 丂丂kǎotable (?)
Open 宁 →

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 靜; 静 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 靜, not the simplified 静, uses 青 and 爭 for sound; an old source also treats 青 (blue) as a meaning part.

Open 静 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Good & Bad

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