Definitions

píng (adjective) flat; level
píng (adjective) even; equal
píng (adjective) calm; peaceful

Etymology

Depicts using a staff () for striking. Based on the original meaning "to strike", now written as . The meaning later shifted to "level", "even", and "flat".

About

The character 平 consists of a horizontal top stroke, two central dots or short strokes resembling 八, and a lower structure like 干. Its etymology depicts breath or air flowing smoothly and expanding evenly without obstruction. This imagery of unobstructed, level movement conveys the core ideas of flatness, smoothness, and equality. Physically, it describes surfaces without bumps, such as level ground. Abstractly, it extends to fairness, balance, and tranquility, often used for peaceful situations, equitable treatment, and states of equilibrium where opposing forces are equalized.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这块地很坦。

Zhè kuài dì hěn píngtǎn.

This piece of land is very flat.

祝你一路安。

Zhù nǐ yílù píng'ān.

Wish you a safe journey.

水面静得像镜子。

Shuǐmiàn píngjìng de xiàng jìngzi.

The water surface is as calm as a mirror.

比赛结果很公

Bǐsài jiéguǒ hěn gōngpíng.

The competition result was very fair.

她希望世界和

Tā xīwàng shìjiè hépíng.

She hopes for world peace.

我们正在讨论均水

Wǒmen zhèngzài tǎolùn píngjūn shuǐpíng.

We are discussing the average level.

他的成绩与去年持

Tā de chéngjì yǔ qùnián chípíng.

His grades are on par with last year's.

他找到了工作与生活的衡点。

Tā zhǎodào le gōngzuò yǔ shēnghuó de pínghéng diǎn.

He found a balance point between work and life.