Hanzi Alive!(23)

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Chinese characters are the social contract of the East - '共' (gòng) is two hands sharing a pot of food, '平' (píng) is a stable balance, and '和' (hé) is wheat bending towards a smiling mouth (禾+口). With these three characters, using the simplest strokes, the Chinese people's millennium-old imagination of a fair society is vividly portrayed.

共(gòng)

Explanation

  • A pot (or some other object) in the center with a hand reaching towards it from either side shows two people sharing. This word is very common in Chinese.

Example

  • They work together.  
    他们共同工作。  
    tā men gòng tóng gōng zuò.  
  • This park is open to all.  
    这个公园是公共的。  
    zhè ge gōng yuán shì gōng gòng de.  

Find and circle  "共" in the picture

平(píng)

Explanation

  • "平" means steady, it does not shake or tip over. Therefore, the character looks like a scale, symmetrical and standard. The modern character is actually even more "balanced" and "level" than the ancient version. Adding “a woman in a house" forms “平安,” meaning safe and sound; the phrase is often also used as a greeting.

Example

  • Everyone should be treated fairly.  
    人人应当得到公平对待。  
    rén rén yīng dāng dé dào gōng píng duì dài.  
  • Life is calm and peaceful here.  
    这里的生活很平静。  
    zhè lǐ de shēng huó hěn píng jìng.  

Find and circle  "平" in the picture

和(hé)

Explanation

  • The grain is ready to be harvested and the wheat plant dips. Next to it is a mouth because there is food to eat! This word is often used in combination. For example, “和平”means peace, while “和好”means "to make peace between people."

Example

  • I go with you.  
    我和你一起去。  
    wǒ hé nǐ yì qǐ qù.  
  • Grandma is mixing dough.  
    奶奶在和面。  
    nǎi nai zài huó miàn.

Find and circle "和" in the picture

Now you have deciphered this set of civilized codes: from the warmth of '共' sharing, the justice of '平' balance, to the harvest of '和' harmony - when they meet, they form humanity's most cherished desire: peace (和平).

Sign up for a free trial now!

FAQ / Tips

No, the tuition fees you have paid cover all costs.There are no additional fees or hidden charges. We strive to be transparent and upfront with our pricing, ensuring that our clients receive the best value for their investment.
We offer a referral program that rewards both you and your friend with free classes.To participate, simply refer a friend to our program and once they successfully enroll, both you and your friend will receive free classes.We appreciate your support and look forward to helping you and your friend achieve your language learning goals.
We offer secure and convenient payment options, including PayPal. PayPal is a widely recognized and trusted online payment platform that provides a secure way to make transactions. We also follow industry-standard security protocols to ensure the safety of your personal and financial information.
Our learning is different from traditional language learning in a number of ways. Firstly, we use technology to enhance the learning experience and provide personalized learning paths for each student. Secondly, our focus is not just on language proficiency, but also on cultural understanding and practical application of the language.Thirdly, we place a strong emphasis on developing speaking and listening skills, as well as reading and writing.Additionally, we incorporate modern teaching methods and materials, such as multimedia resources and interactive exercises.Finally, our courses are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing students to learn at their own pace and according to their own schedule.
Our instructors are highly skilled and experienced experts in Chinese language teaching, with proficiency in multiple languages. They hold at least a bachelor's degree in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, and possess extensive teaching experience and knowledge. Through a rigorous selection process and ongoing training, our instructors are equipped to provide students with authentic pronunciation, accurate language usage, and cultural background knowledge, all of which are essential for achieving mastery of the Chinese language.
Our Chinese learning method is focused on personalized and interactive one-on-one lessons with a professional teacher. The lessons are conducted live through our online teaching platform, which allows you to see and talk to the teacher. You can schedule the lessons at a time that suits you, and the teacher will tailor the lesson content to your specific needs and goals. During the lesson, you can ask questions and receive feedback from the teacher to ensure you understand and master the knowledge and skills being taught. We also have a student service team and academic coordinator team to assist you with your learning and provide any additional support you may need.Overall, our method is designed to be flexible, personalized, and interactive to help you achieve your language learning goals.