TongTong
Sign in

缓和 (huǎn hé) — (verb) to ease, to alleviate, to moderate; (adjective) mild, moderate, relaxed

Definition

Used for actively easing tensions, conflicts, or pain — a deliberate verb ('to ease, to moderate'). Pairs with nouns like 矛盾, 局势, 气氛, more action-oriented than 缓解.

verb
to easeto alleviateto moderate
adjective
mildmoderaterelaxed
Easily confused

Examples

  • 缓和，。
    Shuāng fāng dōu yuàn yì huǎn hé máo dùn, bì miǎn chōng tū.
    Both sides are willing to ease the contradictions and avoid conflict.
  • 缓和。
    Zhè zhǒng yào kě yǐ huǎn hé tā de tóu tòng.
    This medicine can alleviate his headache.
  • 缓和，。
    Tā de yǔ qì hěn huǎn hé, ràng rén gǎn dào shū fu.
    His tone is very mild, making people feel comfortable.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

缓huǎnslow/mild
和hégentle/peaceful

缓 (slow/mild) and 和 (gentle/peaceful) together mean eased or moderate.

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 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 →

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 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.