Definitions

ān (adjective) peaceful; safe; secure
ān (adjective) calm; still; quiet
ān (verb) to install; to fix; to place
ān (verb) to pacify; to calm

Etymology

Depicts a woman () sitting under a roof (). Older forms of this character depict a person kneeling with a mark on their thigh and shin to indicate sitting.

About

The character "安" is structurally composed of the roof radical "宀" positioned above the component "女" meaning woman, a configuration that etymologically suggests the concept of a woman being sheltered within a house, thereby giving rise to its fundamental senses of peace and safety. From this core, the meaning expanded to denote general calmness and tranquility, as well as acquiring verbal uses such as to pacify or to install something securely. The consistent graphical relationship between the "宀" and "女" elements has characterized the character's form throughout its history.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal 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

这里非常全。

Zhèlǐ fēicháng ānquán.

Here is very safe.

静地坐下。

Qǐng ānjìng de zuòxià.

Please sit down quietly.

排明天开会。

Wǒ ānpái míngtiān kāihuì.

I have arranged a meeting for tomorrow.

为了全,我们戴了头盔。

Wèile ānquán, wǒmen dàile tóukuī.

For safety, we wore helmets.

心地离开了家。

Tā ānxīn de líkāile jiā.

He left home feeling at ease.

设备已经装好了。

Shèbèi yǐjīng ānzhuāng hǎole.

The equipment has already been installed.

在平夜,全家团聚很温馨。

Zài píng'ān yè, quánjiā tuánjù hěn wēnxīn.

On Christmas Eve, the whole family reunites, which is very warm.

确保网络全是当今的重要任务。

Quèbǎo wǎngluò ānquán shì dāngjīn de zhòngyào rènwù.

Ensuring network security is an important task in today's world.