平分秋色 (píng fēn qiū sè) — to be evenly matched; to be on a par with each other

Definition

A chengyu for two sides being evenly matched in strength or performance — they split the 'autumn colors' equally. Typically used in competitions or contests, not for general equality.

idiom
to be evenly matchedto be on a par with each other

Examples

  • 平分秋色，。
    Zhè liǎng zhī qiú duì píng fēn qiū sè, hěn nán shuō shuí huì yíng.
    These two teams are evenly matched — it's hard to say who will win.
  • ，平分秋色，。
    Zài jìng xuǎn yǎn jiǎng zhōng, liǎng wèi hòu xuǎn rén píng fēn qiū sè, zhī chí lǜ bù xiāng shàng xià.
    During the campaign speeches, the two candidates were evenly matched, with nearly equal support rates.
  • 平分秋色，。
    Tā men de shí lì píng fēn qiū sè, bǐ sài yí dìng huì hěn jīng cǎi.
    Their strengths are evenly matched, so the match will surely be exciting.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

平分divide equally
平píngevenly分fēndivide
偏正Modifier + head
秋色autumn colors
秋qiūautumn色sècolor
偏正Modifier + head

平分秋色: 平分 means divide equally and 秋色 means autumn colors, suggesting an even share of beauty.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The origin is uncertain. One explanation combines 八 (division) and 亏 (exhaled air) to show smooth speech.

Open 平 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

分 pairs 八 (to separate) with 刀 (knife), showing something cut apart with a knife.

Open 分 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
禾禾hégrain
Sound part声符shēngfú
𤒅
𤒅𤒅秋qiū
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The shape 秋 pairs 禾 (grain) with 𤒅, which gives the sound.

Open 秋 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 爪爪zhuǎclaw; hand
  • 卩卩jiékneeling person

色 pairs 爪 (a hand) with 卩 (a kneeling person), showing a hand pressing down on the kneeling person.

Open 色 →

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