Definitions

(particle) and; with; together with
(noun) peace; harmony
(noun,verb) sum; to add up
huó (verb) to mix with water
huò (verb) to mix; to blend
(verb) to join in singing; to chime in

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "和" structurally integrates the components 禾, representing grain, and 口, denoting mouth, with etymological interpretations pointing to an early sense of musical concord or vocal responsiveness. Its semantic range expanded from specific references to harmonic sound to encompass broader notions of social peace, agreement, and reconciliation. Over time, it further evolved to serve grammatical purposes, notably functioning as a conjunctive particle equivalent to "and", while its traditional form remains composed of these same elements.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

你去公园。

Wǒ hé nǐ qù gōngyuán.

You and I go to the park.

苹果香蕉都很甜。

Píngguǒ hé xiāngjiāo dōu hěn tián.

Apples and bananas are both sweet.

我们热爱平。

Wǒmen rè'ài hépíng.

We love peace.

社会需要谐。

Shèhuì xūyào héxié.

Society needs harmony.

朋友解了。

Tā hé péngyǒu héjiě le.

He reconciled with his friend.

这首歌的旋律很柔

Zhè shǒu gē de xuánlǜ hěn róuhé.

The melody of this song is very soft.

天气心情都很好。

Tiānqì hé xīnqíng dōu hěn hǎo.

The weather and mood are both good.

通过对话合作,我们能解决分歧。

Tōngguò duìhuà hé hézuò, wǒmen néng jiějué fēnqí.

Through dialogue and cooperation, we can resolve differences.