Japanese word

和

Pronunciation

Romajiwa

Meaning

  • nounharmony

Example

家族の和を大切にします。ka zoku no wa o tai setsu ni shi ma su

I value harmony in my family.

Illustration for 和 (harmony)

More examples

小さな誤解が、職場の和を乱すことがあります。chii sa na go kai ga shoku ba no wa o mida su ko to ga a ri ma su

A small misunderstanding can sometimes disrupt harmony at work.

Core concept

Centers on different people or parts existing together in a balanced, calm relationship.

Common phrases

  • 和を重んじるwa o omo n ji ru

    value harmony

  • 和を保つwa o tamo tsu

    maintain harmony

  • 和を取り戻すwa o to ri modo su

    restore harmony

Similar words

調和chōwa: A pleasing balance among different people, things, or elements.
協調kyōchō: The act of working together smoothly with other people.
平和heiwa: A condition in which people or groups are free from conflict.

Definition in Japanese

人や物事の調和が保たれた状態。hito ya mono goto no chō wa ga tamo ta re ta jō tai

Word origin

The kanji 和 (wa, "harmony") is a Sino-Japanese borrowing from Chinese 和 (hé, "harmony; peace"), retaining the sense of balance between people or things.

Usage tips

  • 和 (wa) can describe a group that gets along even when its members have different opinions, so it does not require complete agreement.

Other meanings

  • peacenoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word