平息 píngxī to subside
(of wind etc) to subside; to die down; to quell; to smooth over (a dispute etc); to suppress (a rebellion etc)
How to remember 平息: 平 level + 息 breath = to subside.
Characters
How it is used
- To die down or to quell - used both for things subsiding on their own and for actively putting something down - 风渐渐平息了 (fēng jiànjiàn píngxī le) the wind gradually died down.
- Common with disturbances: 平息风波 (píngxī fēngbō) to smooth over a dispute; 平息叛乱 (píngxī pànluàn) to suppress a rebellion.
- Contrast 平复 (píngfù), which is more about emotions/mood settling; 平息 fits disputes, storms, and unrest.
Example sentences
- 暴风雨平息下来了。 Bàofēngyǔ píngxī xiàlái le.The storm has died down.