和平 (hépíng)

和平 means peace -- the absence of war and conflict, a state of harmony and tranquility -- and is one of the most important political and social vocabulary words in Chinese.

Meanings

[noun] peace; a state of peace; peaceful coexistence
[adjective] peaceful; non-violent; pacifist

Example Sentences

世界和平是全人类共同的愿望。 Shìjiè hépíng shì quán rénlèi gòngtóng de yuànwàng. World peace is the common desire of all humanity.

两国签署了和平条约，结束了长达数年的战争。 Liǎng guó qiānshǔ le hépíng tiáoyuē, jiéshù le chángdá shùnián de zhànzhēng. The two countries signed a peace treaty, ending years of war.

我们应该通过和平方式解决国际争端。 Wǒmen yīnggāi tōngguò hépíng fāngshì jiějué guójì zhēngduān. We should resolve international disputes through peaceful means.

维护和平是每一个国家的责任。 Wéihù hépíng shì měi yī gè guójiā de zérèn. Maintaining peace is the responsibility of every country.

那个地区已经经历了数十年的和平与繁荣。 Nàgè dìqū yǐjīng jīnglì le shùshí nián de hépíng yǔ fánróng. That region has experienced decades of peace and prosperity.

他一生致力于推动世界和平。 Tā yīshēng zhìlì yú tuīdòng shìjiè hépíng. He devoted his life to promoting world peace.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
世界和平	world peace
维护和平	to maintain / uphold peace
和平解决	peaceful resolution
和平条约	peace treaty
和平共处	peaceful coexistence
和平时期	period of peace; peacetime

Usage Notes

和平 is a foundational political term in Chinese, often appearing in diplomatic language, government documents, and international relations discourse. The phrase 和平共处五项原则 (Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence) is a cornerstone of Chinese foreign policy.

As an adjective, 和平 modifies nouns like 方式 (means), 解决 (resolution), and 环境 (environment). As a noun, it often takes verbs like 维护 (uphold), 破坏 (undermine), 追求 (pursue), and 实现 (achieve).

Memory Hook

和 means "harmony" and 平 means "flat/calm/equal." 和平 is the harmony of a calm, flat surface -- still waters with no waves of conflict.