安抚

• Pinyin: ān fǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 安 = peace; 抚 = 扌(hand) + 无 (phonetic), meaning to stroke

Meaning

To comfort; to soothe; to placate.

Describes calming someone who is upset, angry, or distressed. Can also refer to pacifying a larger group or situation. Implies gentle, reassuring action.

Examples

1. 她轻声安抚着哭泣的孩子，直到他睡着。 She softly soothed the crying child until he fell asleep.
2. 公司正在努力安抚那些被裁员的员工。 The company is working hard to placate the laid-off employees.
3. 医生的话安抚了病人焦虑的情绪。 The doctor's words calmed the patient's anxious feelings.

Usage Guide

Context: emotional, professional

Tone: caring

Do Say

• 他试图安抚愤怒的顾客。(He tried to placate the angry customer.)
• 妈妈安抚着受惊的小狗。(Mom soothed the frightened puppy.)

Don't Say

• 说'安抚这台机器' (Don't use 安抚 for inanimate objects — it's for sentient beings)

Origin & History

安 (peace) + 抚 (to stroke/comfort). Together: to bring peace through comforting.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal