Meanings of 安
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About 安
Podcast: 安
Podcast: 安
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AI study notes for 安
安全 (ānquán) vs 安心 (ānxīn) — use 安全 when referring to physical safety, and 安心 when discussing peace of mind.
Learners often confuse 安 with other characters that convey similar meanings, like 平 (píng) for 'flat' or 'level'. It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but be careful with tone; the first tone in 安 (ān) must be pronounced clearly to distinguish it from other words. Common collocations include 安静 (ānjìng) for 'quiet' and 安全 (ānquán) for 'safety'.
安 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, but it connects well with HSK 1 and 2 vocabulary related to emotions and safety. Focus on practicing its pronunciation and recognizing its use in common phrases to enhance your conversational skills.
Learners often mistakenly pronounce 安 (ān) with a rising tone, confusing it with other characters. For example, saying 'án' instead of 'ān' alters its meaning entirely. Always practice the first tone for clarity.
Pronunciation of 安
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Jason Explains 安 to you
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Learning Lab
Knowing 安 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 安
Variously explained as (1) a woman is what makes a home feel peaceful, or (2) a woman feels safe under the shelter of a roof.
A woman 女 safe in a house 宀
Origin
What kind of character is 安?
Decomposition of 安
Parts
Which of these is part of 安?
How to say content in Chinese
“content” in Chinese is安
The character 安 (ān) primarily means 'peace' or 'safety', signifying a state of calm and security. It is commonly used in contexts related to well-being, such as 安全 (ānquán) meaning 'safety' and 安心 (ānxīn) meaning 'peace of mind'. Its usage extends to both personal states and physical environments, often conveying a sense of tranquility.
When to use 安
Learners often confuse 安 with other characters that convey similar meanings, like 平 (píng) for 'flat' or 'level'. It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, but be careful with tone; the first tone in 安 (ān) must be pronounced clearly to distinguish it from other words. Common collocations include 安静 (ānjìng) for 'quiet' and 安全 (ānquán) for 'safety'.
安 or something close to it
安全 (ānquán) vs 安心 (ānxīn) — use 安全 when referring to physical safety, and 安心 when discussing peace of mind.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly pronounce 安 (ān) with a rising tone, confusing it with other characters. For example, saying 'án' instead of 'ān' alters its meaning entirely. Always practice the first tone for clarity.
Write 安
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Practice writing 安 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 安
安 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 20 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
当老师走进教室的时候，大家都____静了。
When the teacher walked into the classroom, everyone became quiet.
Common confusions with 安
Similar in sound to '安' (ān), which means 'peace'.
Which one
Which one means “content”?
Usage Notes for 安
Learners often confuse 安 with other words related to safety, such as '安全' (ānquán), which means 'safety'. It's important to use the correct word based on context.
我觉得这里很安。
I feel that it is very calm here.
我们需要确保安全。
We need to ensure safety.
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我觉得这里很____。
I feel that it is very calm here.
Example sentences for 安 (14)
Rebuild it
Rebuild it: “It is not for me to arrange such matters.”
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Cultural Notes for 安
The character 安 combines the radical for 'woman' (女) and 'house' (宀), symbolizing a woman's safety within a home. This reflects traditional views of family and security in Chinese culture.
A common Chinese proverb is '安居乐业' (ān jū lè yè), meaning 'to live in peace and work happily'. It emphasizes the importance of a stable and secure environment for happiness.
Word Family of 安
Characters with 安
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Frequently asked questions about 安
Yes, 安 (ān) is a common Chinese surname. It ranks among the 100 most common surnames in China, and like many Chinese surnames, it can carry historical significance and familial connections.
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