安
Character Story & Explanation
安 appears frequently in modern Chinese life — from traffic signs reading 注意安全 (zhùyì ānquán, 'pay attention to safety') to app notifications saying 系统已安全更新 (xìtǒng yǐ ānquán gēngxīn, 'system updated securely'). It’s central in the Confucian phrase 安居乐业 (ānjū lèyè, 'to live in peace and work with joy'), cited in official policy documents since the 1950s to describe social stability goals.
The character’s earliest verified form appears in bronze inscriptions (c. 11th–3rd c. BCE) as a person (女) under a roof (宀), symbolizing 'a woman at ease in her home' — reflecting ancient ideals of domestic safety and order. This semantic structure remains unchanged today.
Hi students! Let’s learn 安 (ān), a foundational character at HSK Level 3. It means 'calm', 'peaceful', or 'safe' — ideas deeply valued in Chinese culture. With just six strokes and the roof radical 宀 (mián), it visually suggests shelter and security: imagine a person (女, though simplified) resting safely under a roof. This reflects how Chinese characters often combine meaning and form.
Don’t confuse 安 with similar-sounding characters like àn (案, 'desk') or ān (鞍, 'saddle'). Pronunciation matters — it’s first tone: flat and high, like singing a steady note. Practice saying ‘ān’ while holding your hand flat at shoulder height to reinforce the tone.
As you advance, you’ll see 安 everywhere: in greetings like 你好吗？我很好，谢谢！(Nǐ hǎo ma? Wǒ hěn hǎo, xièxie!) where 安 isn’t used directly, but its conceptual sibling 好 (hǎo, 'good') shares that same cultural weight of wellbeing. Mastering 安 opens doors to compound words like 安全 (ānquán, 'safety') and 安静 (ānjìng, 'quiet') — essential for daily communication.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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