1.
gentle, mild, calm
Describes a person's temperament or manner as gentle and even-tempered, or weather and climate as mild and moderate. Conveys a sense of steady calmness without extremes.
穏和な性格だ。
He has a gentle personality.
この地域は一年中穏和な気候に恵まれている。
This region is blessed with a mild climate year-round.
祖父は穏和な人柄で、怒っているところを見たことがない。
My grandfather has a gentle disposition, and I've never seen him angry.
USAGE:
Used to describe both people and climate/weather. When describing people, it emphasizes a calm, even-tempered nature rather than active kindness. When describing climate, it indicates moderate temperatures without extremes.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 温和: An alternate kanji spelling with the same reading and meaning. Both are standard, but 穏和 emphasizes calmness while 温和 emphasizes warmth.
- 穏やか: Also means gentle/calm but is more commonly used in everyday speech. 穏和 is somewhat more formal and literary.
- 温厚: Specifically describes a warm and good-natured personality.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 穏和な性格: gentle personality
- 穏和な気候: mild climate
- 穏和な人柄: gentle disposition
- 穏和な態度: calm attitude