Ever wondered how to spell or say the word Peace in Japanese? Many look for this word out of curiosity or simply to get a tattoo. In this article, we are going to share different ways and means to say Peace in Japanese.
The main word for Peace in Japanese is Heiwa [平和], which can also mean harmony. It can signify having a gentle temperament; polite; peaceful and calm. What are the secrets behind these ideograms that make up Heiwa?
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Mistakes When Tattooing Peace in Ideograms
Many mistakenly tattoo ideograms with the idea that it literally means peace. I myself searched on google and found images of certain ideograms translated as peace, but it doesn't mean that either in Japanese or Chinese.
In fact, the two characters [平] and [和] make up the word peace, and both separate convey the idea of peace. But erroneously people present the word as if it means only peace, leaving and ignoring other meanings.
The normal thing is to tattoo only one ideogram instead of the whole word, so which of these ideograms to tattoo? Difficult to answer this question as both mean Peace. By understanding the meaning of these ideograms, you will arrive at the correct option.
Japanese-style peace [和]
The character [和] that many tattoos thinking it mainly means peace is actually a word that refers to Japan. It is the old name of Japan, this ideogram is constantly used to refer to Japanese and traditional things.
The ideogram wa [和] was chosen to replace [倭] around 707 because it has the etymology Yamato, ancient name of Japan. The ideogram can also be used in the sense of making peace or reconciling, coming into harmony.
The meaning of peace in the ideogram [和] came to replace the ideogram nodo [閑] which means tranquil, calm and peaceful. In China and Korea this ideogram [和] also conveys the idea of peace, but it is not the main ideogram to compose this meaning.
How the ideogram [和] is used to refer to traditional things from Japan like arte, music and objects. It can be difficult to find some words related to peace, but let's try to show them below:
| Kanji | Romaji | Meaning |
| 和平 | wahei | peace |
| 和やか | nagoyaka | light; calm; kind; harmonious; peaceful |
| 和解 | young | reconciliation; rapprochement; commitment; conciliation |
| 和議 | wagi | peace conference; peace negotiation |
| 和む | nagomu | to be softened; to calm down |
| 和睦 | waboku | reconciliation; peace; rapprochement |
| 和戦 | wazen | war and peace; peace |
| 和約 | wayaku | peace agreement |
| 和楽 | The term "waraku" does not have a direct translation to English as it is a Japanese word. It can refer to a sense of ease or comfort. If you need more context or a specific usage, please provide additional details! | peace and harmony |
| 和を結ぶ | wawomusubi | make peace |
Ideogram of Peace in Japanese [平]
You should definitely not tattoo this character [平]. Despite being present in the word Peace, and constantly being translated as peace, its true meaning is something flat, something common, mediocre, a person of low status, a freshman or newbie.
Many end up using this ideogram for being the first to compose the word peace in Japanese Heiwa [平和]. This ideogram is very generic and comprises several words that have nothing to do with peace.
Despite this, hei [平] is present in many words with peace, including the period called the Peace Period in Heian Japan.
Below are some words related to peace that use the ideogram [平]:
| Kanji | Romaji | Meaning |
| 平安 | Heian | Japanese period; peace; tranquility |
| 平等 | byoudou | equality; impartiality; uniformity |
| 平均 | heikin | average; balance; equilibrium |
| 平ら | taira | calm; tranquil; placid; composed; stable; relaxed |
| 平気 | heiki | coldness; calmness; composure; unconcern |
| 平静 | Heisei | calm; serenity; tranquility |
| 太平 | The term "taihei" does not have a direct translation in English, as it is commonly used in Japanese contexts. It can denote "big harmony" or "great peace," but it generally retains its original form in translations. | peace; tranquility |
| 昌平 | shouhei | peace; tranquility |
Peace in Chinese [安]
Despite peace in Chinese also being Hépíng [平和], another common ideogram used in the Chinese language to refer to peace is [安]. It conveys the idea of calm, peaceful, quiet, and tranquil. It also carries the sense of comfortable; at ease; safe; and satisfied.
In the Japanese language, [安] conveys the idea of something inexpensive. However, the ideogram can form various words that convey meanings such as relax, cheap, low, calm, rested, content, and peaceful. Even the adjective yasui [安い] carries this idea.
The word anzen [安全] conveys the idea of security. The word anshin [安心] means peace of mind or relief. Below are some Japanese words related to Peace that have the Chinese character [安]:
| Kanji | Romaji | Meaning |
| 安易 | an-i | easy; simple |
| 安静 | ansei | Rest; quiet |
| 安否 | anpi | security; well-being |
| 安らか | peaceful | peaceful; calm; tranquil |
| 安心感 | anshinkan | sense of security |
| 安泰 | antai | Peace; security; tranquility |
| 安穏 | anon | Peace; quiet; tranquility |
| 安寧 | annei | peace (public); stability; tranquility |
Other Ways to Say Peace in Japanese and Related
There are other Japanese words for peace, harmony and tranquility. Some are adjectives, some are even verbs, let's see below a list of other ways to say peace in Japanese and related words.
| kanji | romaji | meaning |
| 穆穆 | bokuboku | calm and gentle; humble and worthy |
| 無事 | buji | security; Peace; quietness |
| 円満 | anman | harmonious; peaceful; happy |
| 楽 | raku | comfort; ease; relief; at peace; relaxation |
| ピース | peesu | from english peace |
| 仲直り | nakanaori | reconciliation; make peace |
| 休意 | kyuui | peace; tranquility |
Other ideograms can convey the idea of peace as [治] which means to reign, to be at peace and to calm down. We believe that the best ideogram to tattoo is [和] or [安], but it's up to you to decide an ideogram or word.
Peace phrases in Japanese
I hope this article has helped you understand the different ways to say peace in Japanese. To finish the article, let's leave some phrases about peace in Japanese:
ご冥福をお祈りします。 Gomeifuku wo inorishimasu
May your soul rest in peace.
和平会談は再度失敗した. waheikaidan wa saidoshiipai
Peace talks failed again.
平和はとても大切です。 Heiwa wa totemo taisetsudesu
peace is very important
彼らは和睦を求めた。 karera wa waiboku wo motometa
They asked for peace
日本はとても平和だ Nihon wa totemo Heiwa da
Japan is very peaceful
私の望むのは安らぎと静けさだけです。 Watashi no nozo no wa yasuragi to shizuke sadake desu
All I want is peace and quiet.
