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温和 (wēn hé) — mild (of climate, temperature); gentle (of character, voice, manner); moderate (of policies, measures)

Definition

温和 covers 'mild' (climate/temperature) and 'gentle' (tone, manner). For describing a person's soft, kind demeanor, 温柔 is more common; 平和 emphasizes a calm, placid temperament.

adjective
mild (of climate, temperature)gentle (of character, voice, manner)moderate (of policies, measures)

Examples

  • 温和。
    Nán fāng dōng tiān de qì hòu bǐ jiào wēn hé.
    The climate in southern winters is relatively mild.
  • 温和。
    Tā shuō huà de yǔ qì hěn wēn hé.
    Her tone of voice is very gentle.
  • 温和。
    Zhèng fǔ cǎi qǔ le wēn hé de zhèng cè.
    The government adopted moderate policies.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

温wēnwarm
和hégentle

Both 温 and 和 convey warmth and gentleness, so they describe a mild, moderate manner.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 溫; 温 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 溫 is based on an older form 𥁕, which drew a person bathing in a container full of warm water. The simplified 温 is a later variant.

Open 温 →

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.

Open 和 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6Personality & Traits

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