安静 (ān jìng) is an adjective meaning 'quiet' or 'silent', describing a state of calmness and absence of noise or disturbance. The character 安 (ān) means 'peaceful' or 'safe', while 静 (jìng) means 'still' or 'calm'. Together, they form a compound that emphasizes both inner tranquility and external quiet—often used for places, people, or atmospheres where noise is minimized and serenity prevails.

This word is commonly used in daily life: to ask someone to lower their voice ('请安静' — 'Please be quiet'), to describe a peaceful environment ('图书馆很安静' — 'The library is very quiet'), or to praise someone’s composed demeanor ('她性格很安静' — 'Her personality is very quiet'). It can also function as a verb in imperative contexts (e.g., '安静！'), but its primary grammatical role is adjectival. Unlike the more formal or literary 静谧 (jìng mì), 安静 is neutral, widely understood, and appropriate in both spoken and written Chinese.