和平

• Pinyin: hé píng
• Hanzi breakdown: 和 = 禾 (grain) + 口 (mouth) — harmony, everyone having enough to eat; 平 = a balanced scale — flat, even, calm

Meaning

Peace; peaceful. The state of being free from war, conflict, or disturbance.

Used as both a noun (peace) and an adjective (peaceful). Common phrases: 世界和平 (world peace), 和平共处 (peaceful coexistence), 和平时期 (peacetime), 和平解决 (peaceful resolution). Also used as a given name and place name in Chinese.

Examples

1. 全世界的人都希望和平。 People all over the world hope for peace.
2. 我们应该用和平的方式解决问题。 We should solve problems in a peaceful way.
3. 这个国家已经和平了很多年。 This country has been at peace for many years.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, society, everyday

Tone: hopeful

Do Say

• 我们都爱和平。(We all love peace.)
• 两国通过谈判实现了和平。(The two countries achieved peace through negotiations.)

Don't Say

• 这道菜很和平。(Don't use 和平 for mild or bland things — it means political/social peace. For mild taste, say 这道菜很清淡.)

Origin & History

Compound of 和 (harmony/gentle) and 平 (flat/calm/even). Together they describe a state of harmony and calm — peace.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal