The Nomadic Flâneuse

Chinese President Hu Jintao instructed the country’s leading officials and Party cadres to place “building a harmonious society” top on their work agenda, when addressing a high-level Party seminar.

- People’s Daily, June 27, 2005

harmonious society: 和谐社会

和: hé

Explanation: 禾 (phonetic part) + 口 (radical part)

English translation: harmony, peace

禾: hé

Explanation: a wood 木 with a fringe on the top

English translation: standing grain, cereal

口: kǒu

Explanation: an open mouth

English translation: mouth

谐 or 諧: xié

Explanation: 言 (radical part) + 皆 (phonetic part)

English translation: harmonize, agree

言: yán

Explanation: 口 (radical part) + 䇂 (phonetic part)

English translation: words, speak

䇂: qiān

Explanation: 干 + 二 (ancient form for 上)

English translation: (ancient form) fault; sin

干: gān

Explanation: reverse form of 入 (rù, agree with) + 一 (yī, one, same)

English translation: oppose, invade, offend

上: shàng

English translation: top; superior

So 干 is violate or criminal, 䇂 is to go against one’s superiors, 言 is to speak bluntly without reservation.

皆: jiē

Explanation: 比 (radical) + 白 (phonetic, ancient form of 自, pronunciation jie)

English translation: all, every, everybody

比: bǐ

Explanation: reverse form of 从 (two people 人 following each other)

English translation: to compare, liken

Conclusion:

和谐社会: héxié shèhuì is a society that everyone has food for the mouth and straight speeches to make.