Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 均衡 | kinkō | [kʲĩŋko̞ː] (narrow) |
| バランス | baransu | [ba̠ɾã̠ɰ̃sɨ] (narrow) |
| 釣り合い | tsuriai | [t͡sɨɾʲia̠i] (narrow) |
| 平衡 | heikō | [he̞ːko̞ː] (narrow) |
All these terms refer to a condition of a system in which competing influences are balanced. Use 均衡 for academic or economic systems, 平衡 for physical or biological states and バランス for general everyday balance.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 均衡 is composed of the kanji 均, meaning even or equal and 衡, meaning balance or scale.
Which one should you use?
バランス is a loanword used in everyday conversation to describe a general sense of balance. In contrast, 均衡 is a more formal and technical term used for equilibrium or balance in academic contexts. 平衡 is a technical term specifically used for physical or biological equilibrium. 均衡 is considered the most formal and academic term for describing a state of equilibrium in scientific, economic or mathematical contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
kinkō
Did you know?
- The word 釣り合い is built from the verb 釣る, which means 'to fish' or 'to angle'.
- In Japanese, the concept of 'balance' is often discussed using the word 調和 'harmony', which implies a spiritual or social equilibrium rather than just a technical one.
- The kanji 衡 in 均衡 refers specifically to the beam of a weighing scale. This reflects an ancient East Asian preoccupation with physical weights and measures to define abstract stability.
Examples in context
- 物体の平衡状態を研究するのは物理学の基礎です。Studying the equilibrium state of objects is fundamental to physics.
- 市場の均衡を維持するために、供給と需要は一致する必要があります。To maintain market equilibrium, supply and demand must be in sync.
- 生活のすべての側面においてバランスを保つことは重要です。Maintaining balance in all aspects of life is essential.
- 趣味と仕事の釣り合いをうまくとることは難しいですが、重要です。It is difficult but essential to strike a balance between hobbies and work.
- 生態系の均衡が崩れている。Seitaikei no kinkou ga kuzurete iru.The equilibrium of the ecosystem is collapsing.
- 市場の均衡が保たれている。Shijou no kinkou ga tamotarete iru.Market equilibrium is being maintained.
- 力の均衡が取れている。Chikara no kinkou ga torete iru.The equilibrium of forces is achieved.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are discussing a science experiment in a classroom.
- 健太 Kentaこの実験では、力の均衡が重要だね。Kono jikken deva, chikara no kinkou ga juuyou dane.In this experiment, the equilibrium of forces is important, isn't it?
- 陽葵 Himariそう、均衡が崩れると失敗するよ。Sou, kinkou ga kuzureru to shippai suru yo.Right, if the equilibrium is lost, it will fail.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さんは、実験の準備はできた？Himari-san wa, jikken no junbi wa dekita?Himari, are you ready for the experiment?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、健太くん、準備万端だよ。Un, Kenta-kun, junbi bantan dayo.Yes, Kenta, I am all set.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “equilibrium” translations and entries 均衡, バランス, 釣り合い, 平衡, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
