Understanding "平静" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 平静
• Pinyin: píng jìng
• Literal Meaning: "flat/calm" (平) + "quiet/still" (静)
• Primary Meaning: A state of calmness, tranquility, or peacefulness, often describing emotions, environments, or situations.

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

"平静" is used to describe a lack of disturbance, whether in external surroundings (e.g., a quiet lake) or internal emotions (e.g., a calm mind). It can refer to physical stillness ("平静的水面" - calm water) or emotional composure ("保持平静" - stay calm). Unlike English "peaceful," which may imply positivity, "平静" is neutral and simply denotes absence of agitation.

Character Breakdown

• 平 (píng): Means "flat," "even," or "calm." Often used in words like "和平" (hé píng - peace) or "平衡" (píng héng - balance).
• 静 (jìng): Means "quiet," "still," or "motionless." Appears in words like "安静" (ān jìng - quiet) or "冷静" (lěng jìng - calm/composed).

Together, they emphasize a dual sense of calmness and stillness.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 湖面非常平静。
   Pinyin: Hú miàn fēi cháng píng jìng.
   English: The surface of the lake is very calm.

2. Chinese: 她努力让自己的心情平静下来。
   Pinyin: Tā nǔ lì ràng zì jǐ de xīn qíng píng jìng xià lái.
   English: She tried hard to calm her emotions.

3. Chinese: 暴风雨过后，小镇恢复了平静。
   Pinyin: Bào fēng yǔ guò hòu, xiǎo zhèn huī fù le píng jìng.
   English: After the storm, the town returned to tranquility.

Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, "平静" is often associated with the Daoist ideal of harmony and balance. It reflects a valued state of mind in meditation, traditional arts (like calligraphy or tea ceremonies), and even conflict resolution, where maintaining "平静" is seen as wise and dignified.

Conclusion

"平静" (píng jìng) encapsulates both external stillness and inner calm. Remember it as a combination of "flat/calm" (平) and "quiet" (静), useful for describing serene scenes or composed emotions. Practice with the examples to master its usage!