Peace and ease with 安
安 means “peaceful”, “calm”, or “safe”. It is also used to mean “cheap” (in terms of price).
Etymology
This kanji is traditionally explained as an ideogrammic compound comprised of 宀 (roof, house) and 女 (woman). These invoke imagery of a woman relaxing peacefully at home.
Peace of Mind
不安 (Anxiety)
不安 refers to a state of restlessness caused by concerns or worries that something bad might happen. It is a term often used to describe vague fears or worries without a clear object or cause.
It combines 不 (not) with 安 (peaceful) to show a lack of ease.
During a visit with Anzu’s family, Makoto receives a request to babysit for another witch. Things are fine at first, but after a while, rain begins to pour inside. Anzu’s mother realizes that the child they’re watching over has rain magic.
- 杏子の母:
- 「小さいうちはコントロールできないんだろうね。不安になると今みたいに降らせちゃうんだね」
- “You don't have control while you're small, right? When he's uneasy, it pours like just now.”
- 真琴:
- 「なるほど。そうですよね。いきなり知らない所じゃ心細いですよ。我慢してたんですね」
- “I see. So that's it. It's a little scary suddenly being in a place you don't know. You've been patient, haven't you?”
Safety and Public Order
安全 (Safety)
安全 means being free from the risk of harm, loss, or finding oneself in a dangerous situation (i.e., a state of peace and security).
It combines 安 (safe) with 全 (whole, complete) to show a state of being completely free from danger.
At a nighttime festival, Sacchan, Yui, and Kotoha receive glowing star necklaces to wear. After some time, Sacchan’s mother arrives to pick them up.
- 結衣:
- 「あ 私のピカピカもう電池切れちゃった」
- “Ah, my sparkler's battery has already run out.”
- 母さん:
- 「あらま 光ってる方が安全でいいのに」
- “Oh dear, it's safer and better when it's lit up.”
治安 (Public order)
治安 refers to a state in which social order is maintained and people can live in peace and safety. It refers to the extent to which crime and disorder are kept to a minimum and laws and rules are observed.
It combines 治 (put in order) with 安 (peace) to show peace maintained by order.
Following Zen’s absence from school for a while, fights and disobedience have taken over the school grounds. When Lulu learns Zen hasn’t been at home either during this time, she travels to the mountains in search of him. After finding him, she explains the situation at school.
- ルル:
- 「転校してきてから慣れないことばかりで大変だったけど禅くんが学校を休んで学校の治安が悪くなって」
- “Since I transferred to this school, everything has been unfamiliar and difficult, but ever since you've started missing school, the school's security has gotten worse...”
Stability and Rest
安定 (Stability)
安定 refers to a state in which things are calm and free from drastic fluctuations or disruptions. It is a term used across a wide range of fields, including psychology, economics, and science.
It combines 安 (peaceful) with 定 (settled, fixed) to show a peacefully settled state.
Coco and her friends are trapped in a maze and trying to find a way past a dragon. Seeing the others working out magic to use, Coco tries her hand at a spell, creating a flame. Agott isn’t impressed, but Tetia feels otherwise.
- テティア:
- 「炎が安定してる！」
- “The flame is stable!”
- 「前はすぐ落ちて燃え尽きちゃってたのにいつの間に！？」
- “It used to go out and burn out right away, so when did this happen!?”
- “The flame is stable!”
安静 (Rest)
安静 refers to allowing your mind and body to relax and enter a calm, peaceful state.
It combines 安 (calm) with 静 (quiet) to show a calm and quiet state.
Wolf isn’t feeling up to patrolling. She sends a bird to call the doctor to visit her.
- 亀のおじいさん:
- 「熱は高くないようだし風じゃな」
- “It doesn't seem like you have a high fever, so it's probably just a cold.”
- 「しばらく安静にしてたら治るじゃろ」
- “If you rest for a while, you'll probably get better.”
- “It doesn't seem like you have a high fever, so it's probably just a cold.”