The Chinese word 安抚 (ānfǔ) is a compound verb formed by combining two characters with closely related meanings: 安 (ān), meaning "to calm" or "to pacify", and 抚 (fǔ), meaning "to soothe", "to comfort", or "to console". This is an example of a synonymous compound, where both constituents contribute similar semantic notions, working together to create a more nuanced and emphatic single concept than either character alone. Thus, 安抚 means "to placate", "to pacify", or "to appease", specifically through comforting words or actions aimed at calming someone's emotions or settling a tense situation.