平衡
píng héng
The Chinese word for 'balance' is 平衡 (píng héng).
平衡 is used to describe being in equilibrium, implying stability, harmony and a general sense of balance. To describe a person's physical sense of balance, you can use the noun phrase 平衡感 by adding the suffix 感, which means 'feeling' or 'sense'.
Meaning: be in equilibrium (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 平衡 is composed of two parts: 平 (píng), meaning 'level' or 'even' and 衡 (héng), meaning 'a scale' or 'to weigh'.
Which one should you use?
While 平衡 refers to general equilibrium and stability, the term 均衡 is used specifically when discussing a balanced state or proportionality, such as an equal distribution or evenness.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the act of maintaining balance, you can use the verb 保持 with 平衡 to form the phrase 保持平衡. If you want to say someone has lost their physical balance, the standard phrase is 失去平衡.
How do you pronounce it?
píng héng
Did you know?
- The character 衡 refers to the crossbeam of a traditional steelyard scale. In ancient China, this tool was so central to the concept of 'balance' that the word became a metaphor for fairness and justice.
- While 平衡 is common, Chinese philosophy emphasizes 阴阳平衡, the balance of 'Yin' and 'Yang'. This suggests that balance is not a static state but a dynamic harmony between opposing forces.
- The character 平 is so versatile that it also means 'peace' and 'average'. This creates a conceptual link in Chinese where being 'average' is seen as a form of stable equilibrium.
Examples in context
- 我認爲要保持平衡。I think there's a balance to be had.This sentence shows how to express the idea of maintaining a balance.Tatoeba #5780506 by verdastelo9604, translation #836873 by sacredceltic
- Tom失去平衡並跌到了。Tom lost his balance and fell.This sentence uses 平衡 to describe the action of losing physical balance.Tatoeba #3704990 by egg0073, translation #2542224 by CK
- 当然，杂技演员必须有完美的平衡感。Of course, an acrobat must have a perfect sense of balance.This sentence uses 平衡 to describe an acrobat's sense of balance.Tatoeba #10201151 by slo_oth, translation #2897658 by neil
- 为了保持工作和生活的平衡，我们需要制定良好的时间管理计划。To maintain a balance between work and life, we need to make good time management plans.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their busy lifestyles.
- 雨婷 Yuting你最近工作太忙了。Nǐ zuìjìn gōngzuò tài máng le.You have been too busy with work lately.
- 伟 Wei是的，我很难平衡工作和生活。Shì de, wǒ hěn nán pínghéng gōngzuò hé shēnghuó.Yes, it is hard for me to balance work and life.
- 雨婷 Yuting你应该多休息一下。Nǐ yīnggāi duō xiūxí yīxià.You should get some more rest.
- 伟 Wei你说得对，雨婷。Nǐ shuō de duì, Yǔtíng.You are right, Yuting.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
