Why does 安否 ("peaceful" + "negate") combine to mean "safety"?


Breaking the Kanji from down 安否 into their constituent meanings:

  * **安:** content, peaceful, quiet
  * **否:** negate

**Question:** Why would combining (e.g.) "peaceful" with "negate" result in a
meaning of "safety", when it seems like it could be ascribed the opposite
meaning? Is there some etymological reason for this that might make it easier
to remember?




It is more like _or not_. The following dictionary entry explicitly gives the
usage:

> [否](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/kanji/%E5%90%A6/#jn-182283)
>
> ２ …か…でないか。「安否・可否・合否・採否・賛否・実否・真否・正否・成否・存否・諾否・適否・当否・認否・能否・良否」

安否=safe or not, 可否=possible or not, 合否=(about exams) passed or not, etc.




It is more like _or not_. The following dictionary entry explicitly gives the
usage:

> [否](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/word/kanji/%E5%90%A6/#jn-182283)
>
> ２ …か…でないか。「安否・可否・合否・採否・賛否・実否・真否・正否・成否・存否・諾否・適否・当否・認否・能否・良否」

安否=safe or not, 可否=possible or not, 合否=(about exams) passed or not, etc.

