和(わ)

わ
noun / prefix
harmony, peace; Japanese-style
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.

CULTURE:
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

CONTRAST:
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)〜
general
Added 2026.2.23 18:58
13000/13041_wa