ānjìng: 安静 - Quiet, Peaceful, Calm

• Keywords: 安静, ānjìng, how to say quiet in Chinese, meaning of anjing, peaceful in Chinese, calm in Chinese, Chinese for quiet, be quiet in Chinese, 安静 vs 宁静, learn Chinese quiet.
• Summary: “安静 (ānjìng)” is one of the most fundamental and versatile words in Chinese, meaning quiet, peaceful, or calm. It's used to describe everything from a silent library to a well-behaved child or a tranquil state of mind. For any English speaker learning how to say “quiet” in Chinese, understanding ānjìng is the essential first step to describing your environment, asking for silence, or expressing a desire for inner peace.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): ānjìng
• Part of Speech: Adjective, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: To be quiet, peaceful, or calm; to quiet down.
• In a Nutshell: `安静` is the go-to word for “quiet.” It primarily refers to the absence of noise or commotion. Think of a library, a sleeping baby, or a quiet student. It can also be used as a command (“Be quiet!”) or to describe a calm personality. It's a highly positive or neutral word, embodying a state of desirable tranquility.

• 安 (ān): This character is a pictogram of a woman (女) under a roof (宀). This imagery evokes a powerful sense of safety, security, peace, and being settled.
• 静 (jìng): This character means still, quiet, or calm. It's composed of 青 (qīng) on the left, which suggests a pure, settled color and provides the sound, and 争 (zhēng) on the right, which means “to struggle.” The combination implies a state where struggle has ceased, resulting in stillness.

When combined, 安 (peace) + 静 (stillness) creates `安静`, a word that beautifully captures the idea of a peaceful and undisturbed quiet, free from both external noise and internal strife.

In Chinese culture, `安静` is often held as a virtue, not just a state of being. It's deeply connected to traditional values from Taoism and Confucianism, which prize contemplation, focus, and inner harmony. A state of `安静` allows for clear thinking and self-cultivation. This contrasts with some aspects of Western culture where being “quiet” can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation of shyness, social awkwardness, or a lack of engagement. In China, a child who is `安静` is often praised for being well-behaved and studious. An adult who is `安静` may be seen as thoughtful, calm, and reliable. While loudness can signify enthusiasm, `安静` often signifies composure and respect, especially in formal or academic settings. It's a state to be sought, not a personality flaw to be fixed.

`安静` is an everyday word with broad applications.

It's used to describe any location that is free from noise. `这里很安静，适合学习。` `(Zhèlǐ hěn ānjìng, shìhé xuéxí.)` `It's very quiet here, suitable for studying.`

It can describe a person's personality (introverted, calm) or their current state (not talking). `他是个很安静的男孩子。` `(Tā shì ge hěn ānjìng de nánháizi.)` `He is a very quiet boy.`

It's commonly used by teachers, parents, or anyone needing to ask for silence. `上课了，请安静！` `(Shàngkè le, qǐng ānjìng!)` `Class is starting, please be quiet!`

It can refer to a desire for mental or emotional peace, away from the stresses of life. `我只想一个人安静一会儿。` `(Wǒ zhǐ xiǎng yīgè rén ānjìng yīhuìr.)` `I just want to be alone and have some quiet for a while.`

Example 1: `图书馆里非常安静。` Pinyin: `Túshūguǎn lǐ fēicháng ānjìng.` English: `It's extremely quiet in the library.` Analysis: A very common and straightforward use of `安静` as an adjective to describe a place. `非常 (fēicháng)` means “extremely.”

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Example 2: `孩子们，请安静下来！` Pinyin: `Háizimen, qǐng ānjìng xiàlái!` English: `Children, please quiet down!` Analysis: Here, `安静` is used as a verb. The directional complement `下来 (xiàlái)` adds a sense of “settling down” into a quiet state.

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Example 3: `她喜欢安静的生活。` Pinyin: `Tā xǐhuān ānjìng de shēnghuó.` English: `She likes a peaceful life.` Analysis: This shows `安静` describing an abstract concept, “life” (`生活`). It conveys a sense of tranquility and lack of drama.

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Example 4: `宝宝睡着了，我们小声点，保持安静。` Pinyin: `Bǎobao shuìzháo le, wǒmen xiǎo shēng diǎn, bǎochí ānjìng.` English: `The baby is asleep, let's lower our voices and stay quiet.` Analysis: `保持 (bǎochí)` means “to maintain.” `保持安静` is a common collocation meaning “to maintain silence” or “to remain quiet.”

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Example 5: `他性格比较安静，不爱说话。` Pinyin: `Tā xìnggé bǐjiào ānjìng, bú ài shuōhuà.` English: `His personality is relatively quiet; he doesn't like to talk much.` Analysis: This describes a person's character (`性格`). It's a neutral description, often seen as a positive trait implying thoughtfulness.

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Example 6: `能不能让我一个人安静地想一想？` Pinyin: `Néng bùnéng ràng wǒ yīgè rén ānjìng de xiǎng yi xiǎng?` English: `Can you let me think quietly by myself for a moment?` Analysis: The particle `地 (de)` turns the adjective `安静` into an adverb, “quietly,” modifying the verb `想 (xiǎng)`, to think.

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Example 7: `听到这个坏消息，他的心怎么也安静不下来。` Pinyin: `Tīngdào zhège huài xiāoxi, tā de xīn zěnme yě ānjìng bù xiàlái.` English: `After hearing this bad news, his heart/mind just couldn't calm down.` Analysis: This is a more advanced example showing an internal state. `心 (xīn)` means heart/mind. `安静不下来` means “unable to calm down,” indicating anxiety or turmoil.

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Example 8: `这个地方太吵了，我们找个安静点儿的咖啡馆吧。` Pinyin: `Zhège dìfang tài chǎo le, wǒmen zhǎo ge ānjìng diǎnr de kāfēiguǎn ba.` English: `This place is too noisy, let's find a quieter cafe.` Analysis: `安静点儿 (ānjìng diǎnr)` is a comparative form, meaning “a bit quieter” or “a quieter [one].”

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Example 9: `他只是安静地坐着，看着窗外。` Pinyin: `Tā zhǐshì ānjìng de zuòzhe, kànzhe chuāngwài.` English: `He just sat there quietly, looking out the window.` Analysis: Another example of `安静` used as an adverb. This paints a picture of calm observation.

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Example 10: `会议室里突然变得一片安静。` Pinyin: `Huìyìshì lǐ tūrán biànde yīpiàn ānjìng.` English: `The conference room suddenly fell completely silent.` Analysis: The measure word phrase `一片 (yīpiàn)` is often used with `安静` to emphasize a wide, pervasive state of quietness, like a “sheet of silence.”

• `安静 (ānjìng)` vs. `宁静 (níngjìng)`: This is a key nuance. `安静` is about the absence of sound or disturbance (it's objective). A room is `安静`. `宁静 (níngjìng)` is a deeper, more poetic sense of serenity or tranquility (it's subjective and emotional). A mountain lake at dawn is `宁静`. You would ask a classroom to be `安静`, not `宁静`.
• `安静 (ānjìng)` vs. `沉默 (chénmò)`: `安静` means quiet. `沉默 (chénmò)` means “silent” or “taciturn,” specifically referring to not speaking. `沉默` often implies a deliberate choice to be silent, and can carry a heavy, sullen, or awkward connotation. A person can be `安静` and happy, but if they are `沉默`, you might wonder if they are angry or upset.
• Common Mistake: Confusing it with “Safe”: The character `安 (ān)` means “safe/peaceful.” However, the word `安静` means “quiet,” not “safe.” The word for “safe” is 安全 (ānquán).
  • Incorrect: `这个城市很安静。` (Meaning: This city is very safe.)
  • Correct: `这个城市很安全。` (Zhège chéngshì hěn ānquán.)

• 热闹 (rènao) - The direct antonym of `安静`. It means “lively,” “bustling,” or “full of excitement,” and usually has a very positive connotation.
• 吵 (chǎo) - A negative antonym, meaning “noisy” or “to quarrel.” While a place can be not `安静`, `吵` implies the noise is disruptive and unpleasant.
• 宁静 (níngjìng) - A more profound and poetic synonym for “tranquil” or “serene.” Used for landscapes and states of mind, not for asking people to be quiet.
• 冷静 (lěngjìng) - Means “calm” or “cool-headed” in the context of one's emotional state, especially under pressure. It's about emotional control, not the level of sound.
• 沉默 (chénmò) - Means “silent,” specifically about not speaking, often with a heavy or sullen feel.
• 文静 (wénjìng) - A specific term used to describe a person (typically a girl or young woman) as being “gentle and quiet.”
• 平安 (píng'ān) - Related through the character `安`. It's a common greeting and blessing, meaning “safe and sound” or “peaceful.”
• 安全 (ānquán) - Also related through `安`. This is the specific word for “safe” or “security.”