穏
calm, quiet, moderation
Readings
On'yomi
- オン
Kun'yomi
- おだ.やか
Meaning
穏 centers on a state of peaceful stillness and balance: calm, quiet, and moderation. It describes a gentle, undisturbed condition where extremes are avoided.
Most common words using 穏
- 穏やかおだやかN3
calm; quiet; gentle; peaceful; mild
- 平穏へいおんN1
tranquil; calm; restful; peaceful; quiet
- 不穏ふおんN1
disquieting; threatening; turbulent; restless; unsettled; disturbing
- 穏健おんけんN1
moderate (view, politics, etc.); temperate; sensible; sober; non-radical
- 穏便おんびん
gentle; peaceable; amicable; quiet
- 安穏あんのん
peace; quiet; tranquility; tranquillity
- 静穏せいおん
tranquility; tranquillity; calmness; serenity; quietness
- 穏当おんとう
proper; reasonable; right; appropriate
- 不穏当ふおんとう
improper; inappropriate; unjust; unfair; unreasonable
- 不穏分子ふおんぶんし
dissidents; troublemakers; disturbing elements
- 不穏文書ふおんぶんしょ
inflammatory pamphlets
- 安穏無事あんのんぶじ
peace and quiet; safe and peaceful; tranquil and uneventful
- 平穏無事へいおんぶじ
peaceful; quiet; uneventful
- 心中穏やかでないしんちゅうおだやかでない
uneasy; ill at ease; upset; agitated; perturbed
- 心穏やかこころおだやか
calm (emotions); relaxed; untroubled; relieved; serene
- 無事平穏ぶじへいおん
peace and quiet; safe and peaceful; tranquil and uneventful
- 穏健派おんけんは
moderate faction; moderates
- 穏健路線おんけんろせん
moderate line; middle-of-the-road line (in politics)
- 資性穏和しせいおんわ
being of a gentle disposition; being of a mild character
Study
Etymology
穏 is the modern simplified form of 穩. The older form combines 禾 (grain) with a phonetic component that also suggests gathering or pressing down, giving the idea of grain pressed down and settled, hence calm and stable.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 禾 is grain, and the right side looks like a hand (爫) pressing down on a heart (心) through a lid (彐). Picture grain being gently pressed down to keep it calm and still, like settling a quiet mind.
Reading mnemonic
For オン, imagine turning on a soft, calm light that fills the room with quiet: on -> オン, and the grain settles peacefully under its glow.