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平静 (へいせい, heisei) Japanese meaning: calm | Kotomora

平へい静せい

へ

い

せ

い

Common word›Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

noun, na-adjective

calm; tranquility; serenity

Describes a state or atmosphere free from disturbance, noise, or agitation. Often used for environments, situations, or a person's outward calm.

湖こ面めんは

平へい

静せい

で

、

まるで

鏡かがみ

の

よう

だっ

た

。

The lake surface was calm, just like a mirror.

彼かれは平へい静せいを装よそおって話はなし続つづけた。

He kept talking, feigning calmness.

2

noun, na-adjective

composure; equanimity; presence of mind

Refers to inner calm and self-control, especially in stressful or emotional situations. Often used with verbs like 保つ or 失う.

どんな時ときでも平へい静せいを保たもつことが大たい切せつだ。
It's important to keep your composure at all times.
彼かの女じょは平へい静せいさを失うしなわずに質しつ問もんに答こたえた。
She answered the questions without losing her composure.

Usage patterns

平へい静せいを失うしなうto lose one's composure
彼かれはその知しらせを聞きいて平へい静せいを失うしなった。
He lost his composure upon hearing the news.
平へい静せいを取とり戻もどすto regain one's calm/composure
深しん呼こ吸きゅうをして平へい静せいを取とり戻もどした。
I took a deep breath and regained my composure.
平へい静せいな態たい度どa calm demeanor/attitude
彼かの女じょは事じ故この後あとも平へい静せいな態たい度どを保たもっていた。
She maintained a calm demeanor even after the accident.

Expressions

平へい静せいを保たもつkeep calm; maintain composure; keep one's temper
平へい静せいを装よそおうfeign composure; pretend to be calm

Kanji

平even, flat, peace
静quiet

Related words

冷れい静せいN3sense 2
冷静 stresses cool, rational self-control (especially when making decisions), while 平静 covers both outer calm and inner composure more broadly.
穏おだやかN3sense 1
穏やか describes a gentle, mild peacefulness (of weather, personality, or mood), whereas 平静 focuses on the absence of disturbance or agitation.
落おち着つきN1sense 2
落ち着き is the everyday word for a settled, composed manner, while 平静 is a more formal term for the same inner calm, often paired with 保つ or 失う.
静せい寂じゃくN1sense 1
静寂 emphasizes physical silence and stillness in a place, while 平静 refers more to a calm state or atmosphere free of disturbance in general.
平たいらN3
平静 is a formal, often written word for a calm, unshaken state of mind, close in meaning to the figurative sense of 平ら.

Opposites

動どう揺ようN1sense 2
動揺 means being emotionally shaken or unsettled, the direct opposite of the inner composure expressed by 平静.
混こん乱らんN3sense 1
混乱 describes chaos or disorder, contrasting with the tranquil, undisturbed state described by 平静.
パニックN3
平静 means calm composure, the opposite state to the chaotic fear of パニック.

Don't confuse with

平へい常じょうN1
平常 means 'normal, usual' (as in one's regular state), while 平静 specifically means being calm or composed, not merely 'as usual'.
平へい成せいN1
平成 is the name of a Japanese era (1989-2019) and is pronounced identically to 平静, but the two share no meaning.

Etymology

Compound of 平 (flat, even, calm) and 静 (quiet, still). The combination naturally conveys a state of calm and stillness.

激げき情じょう

平静 describes calm, composed emotional stillness, the opposite of the violent surge of feeling in 激情.