About
The character 平, which has retained the same basic structure throughout its history, originally depicted a state of balance and evenness. Its earliest forms conceptually combined elements suggesting equilibrium, often represented by two level lines, with some interpretations including a central element that evoked the idea of a suspended weight settling into stillness. This core notion of physical levelness naturally extended into more abstract domains, giving rise to its meanings of peace, calm, and fairness. In its traditional form, which is identical to its modern standard form, the character visually conveys this stability through its symmetrical and horizontally oriented composition. Over time, its application broadened from describing terrain to characterizing just governance, tranquil conditions, and commonality, as seen in words for "peace" (和平) and "ordinary" (平常), always retaining its foundational sense of harmonious equipoise.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这块地很平坦。
祝你一路平安。
水面平静得像镜子。
比赛结果很公平。
她希望世界和平。
我们正在讨论平均水平。
他的成绩与去年持平。
他找到了工作与生活的平衡点。