Definition
平行 (píng xíng) has three related senses: geometric parallel (lines/roads), simultaneous events, and equal rank. For 'simultaneous', 同期 (tóng qī) refers to the same calendar period (e.g., same month in different years), while 齐 (qí) emphasizes doing something together at the same time. 并行 (bìng xíng) specifically means 'run in parallel' for processes or operations, not for geometric lines or equal rank.
parallel (lines, roads, etc.)simultaneousconcurrentof equal rankon a par
Easily confused
- 平衡píng hénglook-alike(adjective) balanced, in equilibrium
Examples
- 平行。Zhè tiáo lù hé nà tiáo lù shì píng xíng de.This road and that road are parallel.
- 平行。Liǎng gè huìyì píng xíng jǔxíng.The two meetings are held simultaneously.
- 平行。Wǒmen bùmén de jīnglǐ hé fù jīnglǐ shì píng xíng zhíwèi.The manager and assistant manager in our department are of equal rank.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.