equilibrium, measuring rod, scale

About this kanji

The kanji 「衡」 primarily means balance or equilibrium. It is often used in noun forms rather than as a verb. Common compounds include 均衡 (きんこう), which means balance, and 不均衡 (ふきんこう), meaning imbalance. Another interesting compound is 平衡 (へいこう), also referring to balance. This kanji relates closely to stability and measurement, reflecting concepts of fairness and proportion. A usage note is that while this kanji may not have a commonly used kun'yomi reading, its on'yomi reading is important in recognizing compound words, especially in academic or formal contexts.

Example sentences

• 公平に事を衡量すべきだ。

  We should measure things fairly.

Meanings across languages

English

equilibrium, measuring rod, scale

Tiếng Việt

cân bằng, thước đo, cân

日本語

衡, はかり, スケール

한국어

평형, 저울, 스케일

中文

衡, 测量杆, 秤

id

keseimbangan

th

ความสมดุล

es

equilibrio

fr

équilibre

de

Gleichgewicht

pt

equilíbrio

Common compounds

• 均衡きんこうbalance, equilibrium
• 不均衡ふきんこうimbalance, lack of balance, lopsidedness
• 拡大均衡かくだいきんこうan expanded or expanding equilibrium
• 合従連衡がっしょうれんこうalliance (of the Six Kingdoms against the Qin dynasty, and of individual Kingdoms with the Qin dynasty), (tactic of) making and breaking alliances (to benefit oneself as the occasion demands), resorting to alliances as a diplomatic expedient
• 平衡へいこうbalance, equilibrium
• 衡平こうへいbalance, equity
• 衡器こうきscale, balance, weighing machine
• 権衡けんこうbalance