Learn a Chinese Character - 和 (Hé/Hè/Huò/Huó/Hú - Harmony; peace; gentle; and; with)

1. Character Basics

Radical: 禾/hé (grain plant) with 口/kǒu (mouth)

Stroke Count: 8 strokes

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: Hé (Second tone) or Hè (Fourth tone) or Huò (Fourth tone) or Huó (Second tone) or Hú (Second tone)

3. Meaning

Basic Meaning: Harmony; peace; gentle; mild; and; with; together with; sum (in mathematics)

Extended Meaning: To mix; to blend; to add to; to agree with; to conform to; to harmonize with

Additional Notes: One of the most important philosophical concepts in Chinese culture, representing the ideal state of balance and harmony in all aspects of life.

4. Common Words

• 和平 (hé píng): Peace

  我们渴望世界和平。 (Wǒmen kěwàng shìjiè hépíng.)

  We long for world peace.

• 和谐 (hé xié): Harmony

  和谐的家庭氛围很重要。 (Héxié de jiātíng fēnwéi hěn zhòngyào.)

  A harmonious family atmosphere is very important.

• 合作 (hé zuò): Cooperation

  我们需要团结合作。 (Wǒmen xūyào tuánjié hézuò.)

  We need unity and cooperation.

• 温和 (wēn hé): Gentle; mild

  他性格很温和。 (Tā xìnggé hěn wēnhé.)

  He has a very gentle personality.

• 和解 (hé jiě): Reconciliation

  他们最终达成和解。 (Tāmen zuìzhōng dáchéng héjiě.)

  They finally reached a reconciliation.

5. Grammar & Usage

Part of Speech: Adjective, noun, conjunction, verb

Usage as a Conjunction (和 hé): Used to connect nouns or noun phrases, equivalent to "and" in English.

Example: 我和你是朋友。 (Wǒ hé nǐ shì péngyǒu.) - You and I are friends.

Usage as an Adjective (和 hé): Means gentle, mild, or harmonious.

Example: 这杯茶很温和。 (Zhè bēi chá hěn wēnhé.) - This tea is very mild.

Usage as a Verb (和 hé/hè/huò/huó/hú): Has different meanings depending on the pronunciation:

• hé: to make peace, to harmonize
• hè: to sing in harmony, to respond to
• huò: to mix, to blend
• huó: to knead (dough)
• hú: to draw a tie in a board game (like mahjong)

Common Structures:

• A和B (A hé B): A and B (connecting two elements)
• 和平共处 (hé píng gòng chǔ): Peaceful coexistence
• 和为贵 (hé wéi guì): Harmony is precious

Note: The character "和" has multiple pronunciations and meanings, so pay attention to the context when learning it.

6. Cultural Background

The character "和" (hé) holds profound cultural significance in Chinese civilization. It represents one of the core values in Confucian philosophy, emphasizing harmony, balance, and unity.

In traditional Chinese culture, "和" is not just the absence of conflict, but a state of dynamic equilibrium where different elements complement each other. This concept influences various aspects of Chinese life:

• Philosophy: "和而不同" (hé ér bù tóng) means "harmony without uniformity," advocating for respecting differences while maintaining harmony.
• Medicine: Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes balancing the "qi" (vital energy) and maintaining harmony between the body's systems.
• Art: Chinese painting, calligraphy, music, and martial arts all strive for harmony between form, content, and spirit.
• Politics and Society: The ideal of a harmonious society has been a long-standing goal in Chinese governance.

The character itself is composed of "禾" (grain) and "口" (mouth), symbolizing the fundamental human need for food and its role in maintaining social stability and harmony.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

1. Structure Memory: The character "和" consists of "禾" (grain plant) on the left and "口" (mouth) on the right. Think of "people (mouths) needing grain" to live in harmony.

2. Cultural Association: Connect the character with the important Chinese cultural concept of harmony. Remember famous sayings like "和为贵" (Harmony is precious).

3. Polyphonic Character Practice: Pay special attention to the different pronunciations and meanings. Create flashcards with sentences for each pronunciation.

4. Stroke Order Practice: Practice writing the character following the correct stroke order: left to right, top to bottom. The 8 strokes flow naturally when written correctly.

5. Common Phrases: Memorize common phrases containing "和" such as "和平" (peace), "和谐" (harmony), and "合作" (cooperation) to reinforce your memory.