adjective / verb HSK 2
Traditional 安靜
quiet · peaceful · calm · to quiet down
Meaning
安静 describes a state of quietness or tranquility, referring both to environments without noise and to people being calm or still. It combines 安 (peaceful) and 静 (still/quiet) to emphasize both the absence of sound and a sense of calm.
Usage
Commonly used to describe quiet places like libraries, classrooms, or neighborhoods. Can also tell someone to be quiet (请安静！). As an adjective, it typically comes before a noun or after 很/非常. Native speakers often use it to describe both physical quietness and a peaceful atmosphere.
Examples
- 01图书馆里很安静，大家都在认真学习。, .It's very quiet in the library; everyone is studying seriously.
- 02老师让我们安静下来听她讲课。.The teacher asked us to quiet down and listen to her lecture.
Characters
Common collocations
- 保持安静to keep quiet
- 请安静please be quiet
- 安静的环境quiet environment
- 非常安静very quiet
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters carry meanings of peace and stillness. 安 originally depicted a woman under a roof (safety), while 静 combines 青 (blue/green, symbolizing calm) with 争 (dispute), suggesting the cessation of conflict.