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平均 (píng jūn) — (adjective) average; (adverb) on average, evenly; (verb) to average (out), to distribute evenly

Definition

平均 stresses the mathematical 'average' — used for numbers, scores, and rates. 与 均匀 (even/uniform in physical distribution) and 普通 (ordinary, everyday) are different: 平均 = a computed mean.

adjective
average
adverb
on averageevenly
verb
to average (out)to distribute evenly

Examples

  • 平均。
    Jīn nián de píng jūn qì wēn bǐ qù nián gāo.
    This year's average temperature is higher than last year's.
  • 平均。
    Tā píng jūn měi tiān gōng zuò bā xiǎo shí.
    He works eight hours a day on average.
  • 平均。
    Qǐng bǎ zhè xiē shù zì píng jūn yí xià.
    Please average these numbers.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

平pínglevel/equal
均jūnequal/average

平均 combines 平 'level/equal' and 均 'equal' to express distributing evenly or an average.

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 →

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
土土tǔearth
Sound part声符shēngfú
匀
匀yún均jūn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

均 pairs 土 (earth) with 匀, which gives it its sound.

Open 均 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5HSK 2.0 Level 5Math

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