和(わ)

わ

noun, prefix

harmony, peace; Japanese-style

culture

See also: 和(わ)〜 (Japanese-style (prefix))

1. harmony, peace, accord

A state of peaceful coexistence, agreement, or balance among people or things. A central concept in Japanese culture.

和(わ)を大切(たいせつ)にする。

To value harmony.

チームの和(わ)を乱(みだ)さないでほしい。

I'd like you not to disrupt the team's harmony.

家族(かぞく)の和(わ)を保(たも)つために、お互(たが)いの意見(いけん)を尊重(そんちょう)することが大事(だいじ)だ。

To maintain family harmony, it's important to respect each other's opinions.

2. Japanese-style, Japanese

Used as a prefix to indicate something is Japanese in style or origin, as opposed to Western (洋(よう)). Common in compound words describing food, clothing, architecture, and other cultural elements.

和食(わしょく)が好(す)きです。

I like Japanese food.

この旅館(りょかん)は和室(わしつ)と洋室(ようしつ)がある。

This inn has both Japanese-style and Western-style rooms.

和洋折衷(わようせっちゅう)のデザインを取(と)り入(い)れた建物(たてもの)が増(ふ)えている。

Buildings incorporating a blend of Japanese and Western design are increasing.

Cultural note

The concept of 和(わ) (harmony) is deeply rooted in Japanese culture. The famous phrase "和(わ)をもって貴(とうと)しとなす" (harmony is to be valued) is attributed to Prince Shōtoku's Seventeen-Article Constitution (604 CE) and remains influential in Japanese social values today.

COMMON COMPOUNDS (sense 2, Japanese-style prefix):

和食(わしょく): Japanese cuisine
和室(わしつ): Japanese-style room
和服(わふく): Japanese clothing (kimono)
和菓子(わがし): Japanese sweets
和風(わふう): Japanese-style
和紙(わし): Japanese paper

Similar words

和(わ) (Japanese) contrasts with 洋(よう) (Western): 和食(わしょく) vs. 洋食(ようしょく), 和室(わしつ) vs. 洋室(ようしつ), 和服(わふく) vs. 洋服(ようふく).

Related Words

Related: 和(わ)〜

Related: 商(しょう) (quotient)

Compare: 洋(よう) (Western (style/origin))

general

Added 2026.2.23 18:58 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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