Chinese word

宁静

Pronunciation

Pinyinníng jìng

Meaning

  • adjectivequiet

Example

这个公园很宁静。zhè ge gōng yuán hěn níng jìng

This park is very quiet.

Illustration for 宁静 (quiet)

More examples

城市的夜晚很宁静，适合散步。chéng shì de yè wǎn hěn níng jìng shì hé sàn bù

The city is peaceful at night, so it is suitable for a walk.

Core concept

Silence and inner ease held together as one serene state.

Common phrases

  • 夜晚宁静yè wǎn níng jìng

    peaceful at night

  • 校园宁静xiào yuán níng jìng

    a calm campus

Similar words

安静ān jìng: Quiet because there is little sound, movement, or activity.
平静píng jìng: Peaceful and steady after feelings or events have settled.
冷静lěng jìng: Calm and clear-minded when dealing with pressure or trouble.

Definition in Chinese

表示周围环境或内心没有喧闹、心绪平稳的状态，常带有书面或雅致色彩。biǎo shì zhōu wéi huán jìng huò nèi xīn méi yǒu xuān nào xīn xù píng wěn de zhuàng tài cháng dài yǒu shū miàn huò yǎ zhì sè cǎi

Word origin

宁 (níng, "peaceful") + 静 (jìng, "still") joins the idea of peace with the idea of stillness, which explains why the word applies to both a place and a person's state of mind.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear quiet as only a sound level, but this adjective can describe a setting valued for its settled atmosphere, not just its volume.

Other meanings

  • quietnessnoun
  • peacenoun
  • calmnessnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word