Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== ānwěn: 安稳 - Stable, Secure, Peaceful ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** anwen, ānwěn, 安稳, stable life in Chinese, secure in Chinese, peaceful, steady, safe and sound, Chinese concept of stability, Chinese culture, learn Chinese * **Summary:** Discover the deep meaning of **安稳 (ānwěn)**, a fundamental concept in Chinese culture that goes beyond simple "safety" or "stability." This page explores how **安稳** represents a cherished state of peaceful security, a life free from turmoil, and a steady foundation for work, family, and personal well-being. Learn how to use this essential term to describe everything from a stable job to a sound night's sleep, and understand why it's a key to unlocking the Chinese cultural mindset. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** ānwěn * **Part of Speech:** Adjective, Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** Describes a state of being safe, stable, and free from disturbance or turmoil. * **In a Nutshell:** **安稳 (ānwěn)** is the feeling of deep, settled security. It's not just about being free from immediate danger; it's about having a life that is steady, predictable, and calm. Think of a stable career, a peaceful home life, a country without unrest, or simply a sound, uninterrupted night's sleep. It's the opposite of chaos, volatility, and anxiety. It embodies a profound sense of peace and reliability. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **安 (ān):** This character is a pictograph of a woman (女) under a roof (宀). It evokes the image of peace, tranquility, and safety found within a home. Its core meaning is "peace" or "security." * **稳 (wěn):** This character is composed of the "grain" radical (禾) on the left. Grain and harvests are fundamental to a stable, settled agricultural society. The right side provides the sound and reinforces the meaning of firmness. Together, it means "steady," "firm," or "stable." When combined, **安 (peace/security) + 稳 (steady/firm) = 安稳 (ānwěn)**, creating a powerful term that signifies a state of unshakable peace and dependable stability. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In Chinese culture, the pursuit of an **安稳 (ānwěn)** life is a deeply ingrained value. It stands in contrast to the Western, particularly American, cultural narrative that often glorifies risk-taking, disruption, and "chasing your passion" no matter the instability it creates. For many Chinese people, **安稳** is a primary life goal and a key component of success. This desire influences major decisions: * **Career:** The traditional ideal of the "iron rice bowl" (铁饭碗, tiě fànwǎn) – a secure, lifelong job, typically with the government or a state-owned enterprise – is the epitome of an **安稳** career. It is often favored over a high-paying but volatile job in the private sector. * **Family:** A harmonious and stable family life is a cornerstone of an **安稳** existence. * **Society:** On a national level, social stability (社会稳定, shèhuì wěndìng) is paramount. The collective good of a peaceful society is often prioritized over individual freedoms that could lead to unrest. **Comparison to Western "Stability":** While English has the word "stable," **安稳 (ānwěn)** carries a much warmer, more personal, and more aspirational connotation. "Stable" can sound a bit boring or static in English (e.g., "a stable but dull job"). In Chinese, achieving **安稳** is a source of comfort, pride, and peace of mind. It's seen as a wise and responsible way to live. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **安稳 (ānwěn)** is a versatile and common word used in various contexts. * **Describing Life and Work (Most Common):** It's frequently used to describe a desired lifestyle or job. * `他想要一份**安稳**的工作。` (Tā xiǎng yào yī fèn ānwěn de gōngzuò.) - He wants a stable job. * `他们过着**安稳**的生活。` (Tāmen guòzhe ānwěn de shēnghuó.) - They are living a peaceful and stable life. * **Describing Physical States:** It can mean "steady" or "soundly" in a physical sense. * `把梯子放**安稳**了再爬。` (Bǎ tīzi fàng ānwěn le zài pá.) - Place the ladder steadily before you climb. * `宝宝睡得很**安稳**。` (Bǎobao shuì de hěn ānwěn.) - The baby is sleeping very soundly. * **Describing Emotional or Mental States:** It can refer to a calm and secure state of mind. * `听到这个消息，我的心才**安稳**下来。` (Tīngdào zhège xiāoxi, wǒ de xīn cái ānwěn xiàlai.) - After hearing this news, my heart finally settled down. The connotation is almost always positive, representing a desirable state of being. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 很多大学毕业生都希望找到一份**安稳**的工作。 * Pinyin: Hěn duō dàxué bìyèshēng dōu xīwàng zhǎodào yī fèn **ānwěn** de gōngzuò. * English: Many university graduates hope to find a stable job. * Analysis: This is a classic example reflecting the cultural value of job security. `一份安稳的工作` (a stable job) is a very common collocation. * **Example 2:** * 昨晚我睡得特别**安稳**，一个梦都没做。 * Pinyin: Zuówǎn wǒ shuì de tèbié **ānwěn**, yī gè mèng dōu méi zuò. * English: I slept especially soundly last night, I didn't even have a single dream. * Analysis: Here, `安稳` is used as an adverbial complement with `得` to describe the quality of sleep. It means "soundly" or "peacefully." * **Example 3:** * 在父母的帮助下，他终于过上了**安稳**的日子。 * Pinyin: Zài fùmǔ de bāngzhù xià, tā zhōngyú guò shàng le **ānwěn** de rìzi. * English: With his parents' help, he was finally able to live a stable life. * Analysis: `安稳的日子` (stable/peaceful days) is another common phrase, referring to a general state of a calm and secure lifestyle. * **Example 4:** * 请把这个花瓶放**安稳**，别让它掉下来。 * Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ zhège huāpíng fàng **ānwěn**, bié ràng tā diào xiàlai. * English: Please place this vase securely so it doesn't fall. * Analysis: This shows the physical meaning of `安稳` as a verb complement, meaning "to place something in a steady/secure manner." * **Example 5:** * 经历了这么多年的动荡，人民渴望**安稳**的社会环境。 * Pinyin: Jīnglì le zhème duō nián de dòngdàng, rénmín kěwàng **ānwěn** de shèhuì huánjìng. * English: After experiencing so many years of turmoil, the people long for a stable social environment. * Analysis: This sentence contrasts `安稳` with its antonym `动荡` (dòngdàng - turmoil), highlighting its meaning in a broader, societal context. * **Example 6:** * 只要家人都健康，我的心就**安稳**了。 * Pinyin: Zhǐyào jiārén dōu jiànkāng, wǒ de xīn jiù **ānwěn** le. * English: As long as my family is healthy, my heart is at ease. * Analysis: This demonstrates the emotional aspect of `安稳`. It's not just about external factors but also about an inner feeling of peace and security. * **Example 7:** * 他的情绪不太**安稳**，需要休息一下。 * Pinyin: Tā de qíngxù bù tài **ānwěn**, xūyào xiūxi yīxià. * English: His emotional state isn't very stable; he needs to rest. * Analysis: Used in the negative (`不安稳`), it can describe emotional volatility or psychological instability. * **Example 8:** * 你觉得是追求梦想重要，还是过**安稳**的生活重要？ * Pinyin: Nǐ juéde shì zhuīqiú mèngxiǎng zhòngyào, háishì guò **ānwěn** de shēnghuó zhòngyào? * English: Do you think it's more important to chase your dreams or to live a stable life? * Analysis: This question perfectly frames the cultural tension that sometimes exists between modern individualistic ambitions and the traditional value of stability. * **Example 9:** * 股市波动太大，还是把钱存在银行比较**安稳**。 * Pinyin: Gǔshì bōdòng tài dà, háishì bǎ qián cún zài yínháng bǐjiào **ānwěn**. * English: The stock market fluctuates too much; it's more secure to deposit money in the bank. * Analysis: This shows how `安稳` is applied to financial decisions, favoring low-risk, predictable outcomes. * **Example 10:** * 在这个新岗位上，他坐得还不太**安稳**。 * Pinyin: Zài zhège xīn gǎngwèi shàng, tā zuò de hái bù tài **ānwěn**. * English: He is not yet secure in this new position. * Analysis: This is a slightly more figurative use. `坐得安稳` (to sit securely) can refer to holding a position or job with confidence and stability. `不太安稳` implies his job is precarious or he feels insecure in his role. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== A common point of confusion for learners is the difference between **安稳 (ānwěn)** and **安全 (ānquán)**. * **安全 (ānquán) - Safety:** This refers to the absence of immediate, objective danger. It's about being protected from harm. * `这个社区很**安全**。` (This neighborhood is **safe**.) * `请注意交通**安全**。` (Please pay attention to traffic **safety**.) * **安稳 (ānwěn) - Stability/Security:** This is a broader, more subjective concept. It's about a state of being free from chaos, worry, and major changes over a period of time. It encompasses financial, emotional, and social stability. **Key Distinction:** You can be **安全 (safe)** at a stressful, high-pressure job with no job security, but your life is not **安稳 (stable/secure)**. A firefighter's job is to ensure others are **安全**, but their own work life might not be considered **安稳**. **Incorrect Usage Example:** * **Incorrect:** `戴上这个头盔很**安稳**。` (Dài shàng zhège tóukuī hěn ānwěn.) * **Why it's wrong:** A helmet provides immediate protection from danger. The correct word is `安全`. * **Correct:** `戴上这个头盔很**安全**。` (Dài shàng zhège tóukuī hěn ānquán.) Think of it this way: `安全` is a prerequisite for `安稳`. You cannot feel `安稳` if you are not first `安全`. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[安全]] (ānquán) - Safety. The direct absence of danger. `安稳` is a broader, more long-term state that includes safety. * [[稳定]] (wěndìng) - Stable, steady. Very similar to `安稳` but often used in more formal, technical, or economic contexts (e.g., stable prices, a stable political situation). `安稳` has a more personal, emotional, and cozy feeling. * [[平静]] (píngjìng) - Calm, quiet, tranquil. Describes a temporary state of a person's mood or a situation (like a calm sea). `安稳` refers to a more enduring condition of stability. * [[踏实]] (tāshi) - Grounded, dependable, at ease. Describes a person's reliable character or the feeling of being secure and down-to-earth. The feeling of being `踏实` is a key component of an `安稳` life. * [[铁饭碗]] (tiě fànwǎn) - "Iron rice bowl." A colloquial term for a secure, lifelong job. This is the classic example of an `安稳` career. * [[放心]] (fàngxīn) - To feel relieved, to not worry. This is the emotional state one achieves when a situation is or becomes `安稳`. * [[动荡]] (dòngdàng) - Turmoil, unrest, upheaval. The direct antonym of `安稳`. * [[漂泊]] (piāobó) - To drift, to be a vagrant. Describes an unsettled, wandering life, the opposite of an `安稳` existence.