NetChai Chinese

What Does 和蔼可亲 (hé ǎi kě qīn) Mean?

和蔼可亲
hé ǎi kě qīn
Amiable and kind nature · trad. 和藹可親
An older woman kindly helps a child in a community garden, illustrating “amiable and kind nature” in Chinese: 和蔼可亲 (hé ǎi kě qīn)

Describes someone who possesses a gentle, kind, and friendly demeanor. People with this quality make others feel comfortable and willing to approach them.

What does 和蔼可亲 (hé ǎi kě qīn) mean?

和蔼可亲 (hé ǎi kě qīn) means "amiable and kind nature" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "gentle and kind, easy to approach."

Character by character

  • gentle, mild
  • ǎi amiable, kind
  • can, suitable for
  • qīn close, intimate

When to use it

Used to characterize individuals who are not only kind and mild-mannered but also genuinely approachable. It typically applies to people in positions of authority or respect, such as teachers or mentors, who create a welcoming atmosphere.

Example

这位老师和蔼可亲,同学们都很喜欢她。
Zhèwèi lǎoshī hé ǎi kě qīn, tóngxuémen dōu hěn xǐhuan tā.
This teacher is gentle and approachable, so all the students really like her.
Pro tip: The idiom highlights a combination of inner kindness and an outer manner that invites closeness. It implies more than just being friendly; it suggests a disposition that naturally puts people at ease.

Related idioms

汗流浃背 · Profuse sweating好吃懒做 · Fond of eating and lazy胡思乱想 · Aimless thinking
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