Chinese word

缓

Pronunciation

Pinyinhuǎn

Meaning

  • verbslow down

Example

请把速度缓一缓。qǐng bǎ sù dù huǎn yì huǎn

Please slow down a little.

Illustration for 缓 (slow down)

More examples

他的安慰让大家的紧张情绪逐渐缓下来了。tā de ān wèi ràng dà jiā de jǐn zhāng qíng xù zhú jiàn huǎn xià lái le

His reassurance gradually eased everyone's tension.

Core concept

Pressure is released so an action or situation moves toward a calmer pace.

Common phrases

  • 病情缓解bìng qíng huán jiě

    condition eases

  • 气氛缓和qì fēn huǎn hé

    atmosphere eases

Similar words

放慢fàng màn: Makes movement or a process go more slowly by reducing its speed.
减缓jián huǎn: Reduces the rate or intensity of a change or process, making it develop more slowly.
缓和huǎn hé: Eases tension, conflict, or strained relations, making a situation calmer.
缓解huán jiě: Relieves pain or a problem by reducing its severity or effects.

Definition in Chinese

表示在短时间或逐步上把速度、力度、紧张程度等减弱或放松，既可用于具体动作，也可用于情绪或关系的缓和。biǎo shì zài duǎn shí jiān huò zhú bù shàng bǎ sù dù lì dù jǐn zhāng chéng dù děng jiǎn ruò huò fàng sōng jì kě yòng yú jù tǐ dòng zuò yě kě yòng yú qíng xù huò guān xì de huǎn hé

Word origin

The character grew from the idea of making a thread less tight, then extended naturally to easing speed, force, illness, and troubled feelings.

Usage tips

  • English often uses separate verbs for slowing movement and calming a situation, while Chinese can use this single verb across both settings, which makes it useful in everyday requests and discussions.

Other meanings

  • easeverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word