平均
heikin[he̞ːkʲĩɴ]
The English word 'average' translates to Japanese as 平均 (heikin).
平均 is a common and straightforward word for average. You can use it to describe statistical averages, such as being 'above average' by saying 平均以上 or 'below average' by saying 平均以下. Depending on the context, other words can also mean average: 並み can mean average in certain contexts, especially when referring to the level of something compared to others and 普通 is often used to describe something as ordinary or average.
Meaning: arithmetic mean (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 平均 refers to a mathematical or statistical average, 平凡な is used to describe something that is unexceptional or mediocre in quality.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 'average' as an adjective modifying a noun, add the particle の to the noun 平均.
How do you pronounce it?
heikin
Did you know?
- The word 普通 (futsuu), which means 'average' or 'ordinary', is also frequently used as an exclamation to mean 'of course' or 'naturally'.
- The word 平均 (heikin) is composed of two kanji: 平 meaning 'flat' or 'even' and 均 meaning 'equal'. Together, they visually represent the concept of making everything level.
- The word 並み is used in ramen shops to specify the 'average' or standard portion size, distinguishing it from 大盛り or 'large'.
Examples in context
- 彼は平均的な背丈だ。He is of average height.This sentence is useful for describing height using 平均.Tatoeba #100173 by bunbuku, translation #2815476 by korobo4ka
- 君の仕事は平均以下だ。Your work is below average.This sentence is useful for expressing a comparison to an average using 平均.Tatoeba #178269 by bunbuku, translation #17122 by CK
- 一日平均６時間寝ます。I sleep six hours a day on average.This sentence is useful for expressing a daily average using 平均.Tatoeba #10153675 by small_snow, translation #261626 by Swift
- このクラスのテスト平均は８０点です。The average score in this class is 80 points.
- 彼はピアノの演奏が並みです。His piano performance is average.
- その映画は普通だった。That movie was average.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are discussing their test results.
- 結衣 Yuiテストの平均点は何点だった？Tesuto no heikinten wa nan-ten datta?What was the average score on the test?
- 蓮 Ren平均は７０点だったよ。Heikin wa nanajū-ten datta yo.The average was 70 points.
- 結衣 Yui私は平均より少し高かった。Watashi wa heikin yori sukoshi takakatta.I was a little higher than the average.
- 蓮 Ren結衣は勉強が得意だね。Yui wa benkyō ga tokui da ne.Yui, you are good at studying.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “average” translations and entries 平均, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
