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March 24, 2026
和气(和氣)héqi(he2qi5)
和气 (héqì) refers to a demeanor that is friendly, polite, and amiable towards others. It is often used to describe a person's attitude or behavior in social situations, indicating openness and warmth. This term can imply a sense of harmony and pleasantness in interactions.
Strokes12Frequency#19356DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, being 和气 is highly valued in social and business interactions, reflecting the Confucian ideal of harmony and respect in relationships. It is common to expect individuals to maintain a polite demeanor, especially in formal settings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a warm, friendly 'he' (he2) greeting you with a big smile, making you feel at ease and 'qi' (qi5) like you're in a cozy, friendly atmosphere. The character 和 (hé), which means 'harmony,' visually represents the idea of being amiable and friendly.
Meanings of 和气
héqi(he2qi5)
1friendly
2polite
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About 和气
和气Simplified
和氣Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#19356Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 和气
Podcast: 和气
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AI Study Notes for 和气
Quick Contrast
和善 (héshàn) vs 和气 (héqi): Use 和气 when emphasizing a friendly demeanor in social situations, while 和善 suggests a kind and benevolent nature.
Usage Notes
和气 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar terms like 友好 (yǒuhǎo), which specifically means 'friendly,' focusing more on camaraderie rather than general amiability. Be mindful of using the correct tone to convey politeness.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 和气 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to social interactions and character traits. Students should focus on using it in various contexts, such as describing people or situations, to enhance their conversational skills.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 和气 with 友善 (yǒushàn), which also means 'friendly' but has a slightly different nuance. For example, saying '他很友善和气' (tā hěn yǒushàn héqì) is redundant; choose one descriptor to avoid awkwardness.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 和气
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和气 (héqì) refers to a demeanor that is friendly, polite, and amiable towards others. It is often used to describe a person's attitude or behavior in social situations, indicating openness and warmth. This term can imply a sense of harmony and pleasantness in interactions.
When to use 和气
和气 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, making it versatile. Common mistakes include confusing it with similar terms like 友好 (yǒuhǎo), which specifically means 'friendly,' focusing more on camaraderie rather than general amiability. Be mindful of using the correct tone to convey politeness.
和气 or something close to it
和善 (héshàn) vs 和气 (héqi): Use 和气 when emphasizing a friendly demeanor in social situations, while 和善 suggests a kind and benevolent nature.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 和气 with 友善 (yǒushàn), which also means 'friendly' but has a slightly different nuance. For example, saying '他很友善和气' (tā hěn yǒushàn héqì) is redundant; choose one descriptor to avoid awkwardness.
Write 和气
和
气
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Grammar Patterns of 和气
和气 functions as a conjunction — it connects clauses or phrases. Many Chinese conjunctions come in pairs (虽然…但是…, 因为…所以…); use them at the front of the clauses they link. It carries 3 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.
During this meeting, everyone was friendly, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
13
经理总是用和气的态度与员工沟通，极大地提高了团队士气。
Jīnglǐ zǒng shì yòng héqi de tàidù yǔ yuángōng gōutōng, jídà dì tígāo le tuánduì shìqì.
The manager always communicates with employees in a friendly manner, greatly boosting team morale.
14
他用和气的方式化解了同事之间的矛盾，大家都很佩服他。
Tā yòng héqi de fāngshì huàjiě le tóngshì zhījiān de máodùn, dàjiā dōu hěn pèifú tā.
He resolved the conflicts among colleagues in a friendly way, and everyone admired him.
Frequently Asked Questions about 和气
You can say '他是个和气的人' (tā shì gè héqì de rén), meaning 'He is a friendly person.'
While it primarily describes people, it can also refer to the atmosphere of a place or event, such as '这个会议的气氛很和气' (zhège huìyì de qìfēn hěn héqì), meaning 'The atmosphere of this meeting is very friendly.'
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