和む

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 和む is read as なごむ and means “to relax” and “to soften”.
• Basic usage: It describes one’s heart relaxing at a child’s smile and tension softening over warm tea.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 心が和む / 気持ちが和んだ
  • Use 心が和む for the experiencer and 気持ちが和んだ for the resulting softened mood.