平起平坐 (píng qǐ píng zuò) — to be on an equal footing, to be equals (in sta…

Definition

A chengyu meaning two parties sit and stand as equals — used when stressing equal status or standing, often in contrast to an expected hierarchy.

idiom

to be on an equal footingto be equals (in status)

，平起平坐。
Zài gōng sī lǐ, tā hé zǒng jīng lǐ píng qǐ píng zuò.
In the company, he and the general manager are on an equal footing.
，平起平坐。
Zhè liǎng gè guó jiā suī rán dà xiǎo bù tóng, dàn zài tán pàn zhōng què shì píng qǐ píng zuò.
These two countries, though different in size, are on an equal footing in the negotiations.
平起平坐，。
Tā men liǎ zài xué shù jiè píng qǐ píng zuò, shuí yě bù gǎn xiǎo kàn shuí.
The two of them are equals in academia; neither dares to look down on the other.

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.

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

走巳起

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

巳

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

起 is made from 走 and 巳: 走 is the part connected with walking or running, and 巳 gives the sound.

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.

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

The form 坐 combines 留, 'to stay', and 土, 'ground'.

Appears in