安宁
ānníng · HSK 7
peaceful
🕊️ 安 (peace) + 宁 (serenity) = double calm, peaceful tranquility
Both characters independently carry a sense of calm. 安 has a roof over a woman (safe at home), 宁 has a roof over a heart (heart at rest). Together they reinforce: complete, undisturbed peace.
安 — roof 宀 + woman 女
A pictographic compound showing a woman 女 under a roof 宀, suggesting safety and tranquility at home. The original meaning 'peaceful, calm, safe' has remained stable since oracle bone script. It later extended to verbs like 'to settle' or 'to install'.