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.
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 ， dà jiā dōu zài xué xí 。
Please be quiet, everyone is studying.
孩子们，安静！
hái zi men ， ān jìng ！
Children, be quiet!
这个地方很安静。
zhè ge dì fāng 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
和平 · Peace钱 · Money闭嘴 · Shut up
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