安静
ān jìng
Be quiet · trad. 安靜
安静 (ānjìng) is a versatile word in Mandarin Chinese that can mean 'quiet' or 'peaceful' as an adjective, and 'be quiet' or 'quiet down' as a command. It's used to ask for silence or to describe a tranquil environment.
What does 安静 (ān jìng) mean?
安静 (ān jìng) means “be quiet” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “peaceful quiet.”
When to use it
Neutral. As a direct command, it can be firm. To soften it, add 点 (diǎn) making it 安静点, meaning 'be a bit quieter.' For a polite request, use 请安静 (qǐng ānjìng), 'please be quiet.' A much stronger and impolite command like 'shut up' is 闭嘴 (bì zuǐ).
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “ahn-JING.” The first syllable “安” is a high, flat tone. The second syllable “静” is a falling tone.
Other ways to say it
- 安静点ān jìng diǎnbe a bit quieter (softer command)
- 请安静qǐng ān jìngplease be quiet (polite request)
- 闭嘴bì zuǐshut up (impolite)
Examples
请安静，大家都在学习。
qǐng ān jìng, dàjiā dōu zài xuéxí.
Please be quiet, everyone is studying.
孩子们，安静！
háizimen, ān jìng!
Children, be quiet!
这个地方很安静。
zhège dìfang hěn ān jìng.
This place is very quiet.
Pro tip: 安静 can function as both an adjective ('quiet') and a verb ('to quiet down'). When used as a command, it's often direct. Adding 请 (qǐng, 'please') before 安静 makes it a polite request, suitable for more formal or respectful situations.
Related phrases
过来 · Come here来 · Come你没事吧 · Are you ok
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