ānwěn: 安稳 - Stable, Secure, Peaceful

• Keywords: anwen, ānwěn, 安稳, stable life in Chinese, secure in Chinese, peaceful, steady, safe and sound, Chinese concept of stability, Chinese culture, learn Chinese
• Summary: Discover the deep meaning of 安稳 (ānwěn), a fundamental concept in Chinese culture that goes beyond simple “safety” or “stability.” This page explores how 安稳 represents a cherished state of peaceful security, a life free from turmoil, and a steady foundation for work, family, and personal well-being. Learn how to use this essential term to describe everything from a stable job to a sound night's sleep, and understand why it's a key to unlocking the Chinese cultural mindset.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): ānwěn
• Part of Speech: Adjective, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: Describes a state of being safe, stable, and free from disturbance or turmoil.
• In a Nutshell: 安稳 (ānwěn) is the feeling of deep, settled security. It's not just about being free from immediate danger; it's about having a life that is steady, predictable, and calm. Think of a stable career, a peaceful home life, a country without unrest, or simply a sound, uninterrupted night's sleep. It's the opposite of chaos, volatility, and anxiety. It embodies a profound sense of peace and reliability.

• 安 (ān): This character is a pictograph of a woman (女) under a roof (宀). It evokes the image of peace, tranquility, and safety found within a home. Its core meaning is “peace” or “security.”
• 稳 (wěn): This character is composed of the “grain” radical (禾) on the left. Grain and harvests are fundamental to a stable, settled agricultural society. The right side provides the sound and reinforces the meaning of firmness. Together, it means “steady,” “firm,” or “stable.”

When combined, 安 (peace/security) + 稳 (steady/firm) = 安稳 (ānwěn), creating a powerful term that signifies a state of unshakable peace and dependable stability.

In Chinese culture, the pursuit of an 安稳 (ānwěn) life is a deeply ingrained value. It stands in contrast to the Western, particularly American, cultural narrative that often glorifies risk-taking, disruption, and “chasing your passion” no matter the instability it creates. For many Chinese people, 安稳 is a primary life goal and a key component of success. This desire influences major decisions:

• Career: The traditional ideal of the “iron rice bowl” (铁饭碗, tiě fànwǎn) – a secure, lifelong job, typically with the government or a state-owned enterprise – is the epitome of an 安稳 career. It is often favored over a high-paying but volatile job in the private sector.
• Family: A harmonious and stable family life is a cornerstone of an 安稳 existence.
• Society: On a national level, social stability (社会稳定, shèhuì wěndìng) is paramount. The collective good of a peaceful society is often prioritized over individual freedoms that could lead to unrest.

Comparison to Western “Stability”: While English has the word “stable,” 安稳 (ānwěn) carries a much warmer, more personal, and more aspirational connotation. “Stable” can sound a bit boring or static in English (e.g., “a stable but dull job”). In Chinese, achieving 安稳 is a source of comfort, pride, and peace of mind. It's seen as a wise and responsible way to live.

安稳 (ānwěn) is a versatile and common word used in various contexts.

• Describing Life and Work (Most Common): It's frequently used to describe a desired lifestyle or job.
• `他想要一份安稳的工作。` (Tā xiǎng yào yī fèn ānwěn de gōngzuò.) - He wants a stable job.
• `他们过着安稳的生活。` (Tāmen guòzhe ānwěn de shēnghuó.) - They are living a peaceful and stable life.
• Describing Physical States: It can mean “steady” or “soundly” in a physical sense.
• `把梯子放安稳了再爬。` (Bǎ tīzi fàng ānwěn le zài pá.) - Place the ladder steadily before you climb.
• `宝宝睡得很安稳。` (Bǎobao shuì de hěn ānwěn.) - The baby is sleeping very soundly.
• Describing Emotional or Mental States: It can refer to a calm and secure state of mind.
• `听到这个消息，我的心才安稳下来。` (Tīngdào zhège xiāoxi, wǒ de xīn cái ānwěn xiàlai.) - After hearing this news, my heart finally settled down.

The connotation is almost always positive, representing a desirable state of being.

• Example 1:
  • 很多大学毕业生都希望找到一份安稳的工作。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō dàxué bìyèshēng dōu xīwàng zhǎodào yī fèn ānwěn de gōngzuò.
  • English: Many university graduates hope to find a stable job.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example reflecting the cultural value of job security. `一份安稳的工作` (a stable job) is a very common collocation.
• Example 2:
  • 昨晚我睡得特别安稳，一个梦都没做。
  • Pinyin: Zuówǎn wǒ shuì de tèbié ānwěn, yī gè mèng dōu méi zuò.
  • English: I slept especially soundly last night, I didn't even have a single dream.
  • Analysis: Here, `安稳` is used as an adverbial complement with `得` to describe the quality of sleep. It means “soundly” or “peacefully.”
• Example 3:
  • 在父母的帮助下，他终于过上了安稳的日子。
  • Pinyin: Zài fùmǔ de bāngzhù xià, tā zhōngyú guò shàng le ānwěn de rìzi.
  • English: With his parents' help, he was finally able to live a stable life.
  • Analysis: `安稳的日子` (stable/peaceful days) is another common phrase, referring to a general state of a calm and secure lifestyle.
• Example 4:
  • 请把这个花瓶放安稳，别让它掉下来。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ zhège huāpíng fàng ānwěn, bié ràng tā diào xiàlai.
  • English: Please place this vase securely so it doesn't fall.
  • Analysis: This shows the physical meaning of `安稳` as a verb complement, meaning “to place something in a steady/secure manner.”
• Example 5:
  • 经历了这么多年的动荡，人民渴望安稳的社会环境。
  • Pinyin: Jīnglì le zhème duō nián de dòngdàng, rénmín kěwàng ānwěn de shèhuì huánjìng.
  • English: After experiencing so many years of turmoil, the people long for a stable social environment.
  • Analysis: This sentence contrasts `安稳` with its antonym `动荡` (dòngdàng - turmoil), highlighting its meaning in a broader, societal context.
• Example 6:
  • 只要家人都健康，我的心就安稳了。
  • Pinyin: Zhǐyào jiārén dōu jiànkāng, wǒ de xīn jiù ānwěn le.
  • English: As long as my family is healthy, my heart is at ease.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the emotional aspect of `安稳`. It's not just about external factors but also about an inner feeling of peace and security.
• Example 7:
  • 他的情绪不太安稳，需要休息一下。
  • Pinyin: Tā de qíngxù bù tài ānwěn, xūyào xiūxi yīxià.
  • English: His emotional state isn't very stable; he needs to rest.
  • Analysis: Used in the negative (`不安稳`), it can describe emotional volatility or psychological instability.
• Example 8:
  • 你觉得是追求梦想重要，还是过安稳的生活重要？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ juéde shì zhuīqiú mèngxiǎng zhòngyào, háishì guò ānwěn de shēnghuó zhòngyào?
  • English: Do you think it's more important to chase your dreams or to live a stable life?
  • Analysis: This question perfectly frames the cultural tension that sometimes exists between modern individualistic ambitions and the traditional value of stability.
• Example 9:
  • 股市波动太大，还是把钱存在银行比较安稳。
  • Pinyin: Gǔshì bōdòng tài dà, háishì bǎ qián cún zài yínháng bǐjiào ānwěn.
  • English: The stock market fluctuates too much; it's more secure to deposit money in the bank.
  • Analysis: This shows how `安稳` is applied to financial decisions, favoring low-risk, predictable outcomes.
• Example 10:
  • 在这个新岗位上，他坐得还不太安稳。
  • Pinyin: Zài zhège xīn gǎngwèi shàng, tā zuò de hái bù tài ānwěn.
  • English: He is not yet secure in this new position.
  • Analysis: This is a slightly more figurative use. `坐得安稳` (to sit securely) can refer to holding a position or job with confidence and stability. `不太安稳` implies his job is precarious or he feels insecure in his role.

A common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 安稳 (ānwěn) and 安全 (ānquán).

• 安全 (ānquán) - Safety: This refers to the absence of immediate, objective danger. It's about being protected from harm.
  • `这个社区很安全。` (This neighborhood is safe.)
  • `请注意交通安全。` (Please pay attention to traffic safety.)
• 安稳 (ānwěn) - Stability/Security: This is a broader, more subjective concept. It's about a state of being free from chaos, worry, and major changes over a period of time. It encompasses financial, emotional, and social stability.

Key Distinction: You can be 安全 (safe) at a stressful, high-pressure job with no job security, but your life is not 安稳 (stable/secure). A firefighter's job is to ensure others are 安全, but their own work life might not be considered 安稳. Incorrect Usage Example:

• Incorrect: `戴上这个头盔很安稳。` (Dài shàng zhège tóukuī hěn ānwěn.)
• Why it's wrong: A helmet provides immediate protection from danger. The correct word is `安全`.
• Correct: `戴上这个头盔很安全。` (Dài shàng zhège tóukuī hěn ānquán.)

Think of it this way: `安全` is a prerequisite for `安稳`. You cannot feel `安稳` if you are not first `安全`.

• 安全 (ānquán) - Safety. The direct absence of danger. `安稳` is a broader, more long-term state that includes safety.
• 稳定 (wěndìng) - Stable, steady. Very similar to `安稳` but often used in more formal, technical, or economic contexts (e.g., stable prices, a stable political situation). `安稳` has a more personal, emotional, and cozy feeling.
• 平静 (píngjìng) - Calm, quiet, tranquil. Describes a temporary state of a person's mood or a situation (like a calm sea). `安稳` refers to a more enduring condition of stability.
• 踏实 (tāshi) - Grounded, dependable, at ease. Describes a person's reliable character or the feeling of being secure and down-to-earth. The feeling of being `踏实` is a key component of an `安稳` life.
• 铁饭碗 (tiě fànwǎn) - “Iron rice bowl.” A colloquial term for a secure, lifelong job. This is the classic example of an `安稳` career.
• 放心 (fàngxīn) - To feel relieved, to not worry. This is the emotional state one achieves when a situation is or becomes `安稳`.
• 动荡 (dòngdàng) - Turmoil, unrest, upheaval. The direct antonym of `安稳`.
• 漂泊 (piāobó) - To drift, to be a vagrant. Describes an unsettled, wandering life, the opposite of an `安稳` existence.