harmony
Definitions
A state of peaceful agreement; people or things getting along well together
和睦，融洽；各部分协调一致
In music, the combination of notes sounded together to produce chords
（音乐）和声
A pleasing arrangement of parts, such as colors or shapes
（色彩、形状等）和谐的搭配
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedharmon comes from Greek harmonia, originally a carpenter's 'joint' — the seam where two planks fit together. Applied to sound, it meant notes that 'fit together' pleasingly. English harmony keeps both ideas: musical chords joined into one sound, and any situation where separate parts (people, colors, ideas) fit together agreeably.
Root harmon still carries 6 more wordsWhy It Means This
It helps to remember that harmony was a building term before it was a music term. A Greek joint that fit perfectly was a harmonia; the metaphor jumped to music when several notes 'fit' into a pleasing chord, and then jumped again to society — people 'fitting together' without friction. That is why we say a country lives in harmony and a chord has harmony with the same word: both are parts joined into a smooth whole.
Common Collocations
- 1.live in harmony和睦相处
- 2.in perfect harmony完美和谐
- 3.social harmony社会和谐
- 4.racial harmony种族和睦
- 5.harmony with nature与自然和谐共处
- 6.vocal harmony人声和声
Example Sentences
- 1.
The two communities have lived together in harmony for generations.
- 2.
The choir sang the final verse in perfect four-part harmony.
- 3.
There is a lovely harmony between the colors in this painting.
- 4.
We need to work in harmony if we want to finish on time.
Synonym Comparison
- harmony — parts fitting smoothly into a pleasing whole; can be musical or social
- concord — formal, often about agreement between groups or nations
- accord — agreement reached, especially a formal pact (a peace accord)
- unity — being one, undivided; stresses oneness rather than pleasant fit
- agreement — the broadest, plainest word for shared opinion or arrangement