Common Meanings
1
hé和
To be in harmony, peaceful, or harmonious, describing a state of accord, peaceful coexistence, or pleasant relations.
他们过着和谐幸福的生活。
They live a harmonious and happy life.
When pronounced "hé", 和 describes a state of being peaceful, gentle, mild, or harmonious. It can refer to a calm atmosphere, a mild disposition, or a warm and pleasant feeling, as seen in terms like '温和' (gentle), '祥和' (peaceful and auspicious), '和平' (peace), and '和煦' (warm and genial).
窗外和煦的阳光透过玻璃，洒满了房间。
The warm and gentle sunshine outside the window streamed through the glass, filling the room.
To make peace, reconcile, or settle a dispute (as in a peace treaty or talks).
经过一番长谈，双方终于讲和，解决了分歧。
After a long talk, both sides finally made peace and resolved their differences.
The sum or total of numbers, in mathematics.
三加五的和是八。
The sum of three plus five is eight.
Used to indicate carrying something along or being accompanied by something, often implying 'with' or 'wearing'.
他习惯和衣睡觉。
He is used to sleeping with his clothes on.
Conjunction, meaning 'and', 'with', 'together with'. Used to connect nouns, pronouns, or phrases.
我和朋友去公园玩儿。
My friend and I are going to the park to play.
Used as a preposition, indicating an action or interaction directed towards someone; with; to.
我经常和朋友分享我的想法。
I often share my thoughts with my friends.
Refers to Japan; Japanese (as in Japanese clothing, Japanese literature).
她穿了一件漂亮的和服。
She wore a beautiful kimono.
A draw or tie in a game or competition, where neither side wins.
经过一番激烈的对弈，两人最终握手言和
After an intense game, the two shook hands, settling for a draw.
2
hè和
To harmonize by singing along or responding in kind (especially in music or poetry); to echo.
听了他的歌声，大家都情不自禁地跟着和了起来。
Hearing his singing, everyone couldn't help but sing along in harmony.
To compose a poem following the theme or style of another's poem.
我今天和了一首朋友的诗。
Today I composed a poem in response to a friend's poem.
3
huó和
To mix or knead powdered substances, often with liquid, to make them stick together, like dough or mud.
妈妈正在厨房里和面，准备做饺子。
Mom is kneading dough in the kitchen, preparing to make dumplings.
4
huò和
To mix or blend powdered or granular substances together, or to stir them with water.
奶奶在药粉里和了些糖，以便孩子服用
Grandma mixed some sugar into the medicine powder so the child could take it.
Measure word, referring to the number of times water is changed during washing or the number of times a dose of medicine is decocted.
这药得煎两和。
This medicine needs to be decocted twice.
5
hú和
To win in mahjong or card games when one's hand meets the required conditions.
他今天打麻将，很快就和了牌。
He played mahjong today and quickly won the hand.