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Strokes of genius – 安
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What can the image of a woman sitting on her heels under a roof represent? For the ancient Chinese, the answer was “safe, not dangerous.” So that’s the origin of the pictograph “安”¨ ān.
In addition to the key word “安全”¨ ānquán (safe, secure), “安”¨ ān can also be found in the following combinations:
安检 ānjiǎn security check
保安 bǎo’ān security guard
联合国安理会 Liánhéguó Anlǐhuì UN Security Council
As well as in the good wishes:
祝你一路平安! Zhù nǐ yílùpíngān! Wishing you a safe journey!
祝你全家安康! Zhù nǐ quánjiā ānkāng! Wishing you and your family happiness and good health!
Another important meaning of “安” ān should be “calm, at ease” or “cause to calm down, set at ease.” For instance:
安息 ānxī rest in peace
安慰 ānwèi comfort, console
安眠药 ānmiányào sleeping pills
他坐立不安地等着面试结果。 Tā zuòlìbù’ān de děng zhe miànshì jiéguǒ. He was waiting on tenterhooks for the interview result.
Furthermore, “安” ān also means “to place in a suitable position” like in the two verbs below:
安排 ānpái arrange
安装 ānzhuāng set up, install
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