匀称 (yún chèn) — well-proportioned, symmetrical, balanced

Definition

Describes something whose parts are evenly balanced in size, shape, or placement — a body, building, or arrangement that looks harmonious and well-proportioned.

adjective

well-proportionedsymmetricalbalanced

Examples

匀称。
Tā de shēn cái hěn yún chèn.
Her figure is very well-proportioned.
匀称。
Zhè zuò jiàn zhù de zuǒ yòu liǎng biān fēi cháng yún chèn.
The left and right sides of this building are very symmetrical.
匀称。
Zhè xiē jiā jù de bǎi fàng hěn yún chèn.
The arrangement of these pieces of furniture is very balanced.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

匀yúneven

称chēngproportionate

匀 means even and 称 means fitting or proportionate, so together they describe well-balanced proportions.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 勻; 匀 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

呂呂lǚtwo gold plates

Sound part声符shēngfú

螾

螾yǐn勻yún

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 勻 meant a unit of weight. It came from a shape with 呂, two gold plates, and a part related to 螾 that gave the sound; the simplified 匀 is only a later shorthand.

Open 匀 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 稱; 称 is its simplified writing.

禾爯稱

Meaning part形符xíngfú

禾禾hérice

Sound part声符shēngfú

爯

爯chēng稱chēng

Same sound today

The traditional form 稱 pairs 禾 (rice) with 爯, a part giving the sound; it is explained as measuring rice. The simplified 称 is a later shorthand.

Open 称 →