HSK 5, n, 5 strokes, radical 广, rank #2211, Medium
平
píng
flat
HSK 5, n, 5 strokes, radical 广, rank #2211, Medium
平
píng
level
HSK 5, n, 5 strokes, radical 广, rank #2211, Medium
平
píng
equal
HSK 5, n, 5 strokes, radical 广, rank #2211, Medium
平
píng
to tie (make the same score)
HSK 5, n, 5 strokes, radical 广, rank #2211, Medium
平
píng
to draw (score)
HSK 5, n, 5 strokes, radical 广, rank #2211, Medium
平
píng
calm
HSK 5, n, 5 strokes, radical 广, rank #2211, Medium
平
píng
peaceful
HSK 5, n, 5 strokes, radical 广, rank #2211, Medium
平
píng
>平声[píng shēng]
HSK 5, n, 5 strokes, radical 广, rank #2211, Medium
平
píng
flat, level, even; peaceful
HSK 5, n, 5 strokes, radical 广, rank #2211, Medium
píng(Ping2) T2
1flat
2level
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
平píng(Ping2)
The character 平 (píng) primarily means 'flat' or 'level,' often referring to surfaces or concepts of equality. It is used in various contexts, including geographical descriptions, social equality, and even in scoring systems in games. Additionally, it connotes a sense of calmness or peace, making it versatile in both literal and metaphorical uses.
Strokes5Radical广Frequency#2211DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
平 is significant in Chinese philosophy, representing harmony and balance, which are core values in Confucianism. The concept of 平等 (píngděng) is also crucial in discussions about social justice in modern China.
Memory Tip
Imagine a calm, flat lake (平) reflecting the sky. The character itself resembles a flat horizon line, emphasizing its meaning of 'level' and 'peaceful.' The 'p' in '平' sounds like 'peace,' reminding you of its calming connotation.
Meanings of 平
píng(Ping2)
1flat
2level
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 平
平Simplified
5Strokes
广Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#2211Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 平
Podcast: 平
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 平
Quick Contrast
平 (píng) vs 扁 (biǎn): use 平 for 'flat' or 'level' in a broader sense, while 扁 specifically refers to something being flattened or squished.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a calm, flat lake (平) reflecting the sky. The character itself resembles a flat horizon line, emphasizing its meaning of 'level' and 'peaceful.' The 'p' in '平' sounds like 'peace,' reminding you of its calming connotation.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 平 with similar-sounding characters like 膨 (péng), which means 'inflated.' It is a neutral term and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Common collocations include 平静 (píngjìng, calm) and 平等 (píngděng, equality).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 平 connects with other vocabulary related to equality and calmness, such as 公平 (gōngpíng, fair) and 安静 (ānjìng, quiet). Focus on using it in phrases to express balance or tranquility, as well as in discussions about social issues.
Cultural Note
平 is significant in Chinese philosophy, representing harmony and balance, which are core values in Confucianism. The concept of 平等 (píngděng) is also crucial in discussions about social justice in modern China.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 平 with the character 偏 (piān), which means 'to lean' or 'biased.' Remember that 平 denotes equality and calmness. A common error is using '平' in contexts related to preference or bias, which would be incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 平
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 平 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 平 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 平
平 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The flask is completely watertight, even when laid on its side.
Cultural Notes for 平
💡Did you know?
In Chinese culture, the concept of '平' is associated with balance and harmony, reflecting the traditional value of achieving peace in relationships and society.
🏮Cultural insight
平 is significant in Chinese philosophy, representing harmony and balance, which are core values in Confucianism. The concept of 平等 (píngděng) is also crucial in discussions about social justice in modern China.
Word Family of 平
Compounds22
评ping2to discuss
苹pin2(artemisia)
砰peng1bang! the sound of crashing rock
坪ping2plain; level ground
抨peng1to impeach; to criticize
呯
秤cheng1steelyard
怦peng1ardent, eager; impulsive, bold
鲆ping2sole
枰ping2smooth board; chessboard; chess
伻
匉
泙ping2to roar
玶
閛
岼
胓
蚲
評ping2to appraise, to criticize, to evaluate
軯
駍
鮃ping2sole
Words Containing This Character20
水平shuǐpíngstandard
公平gōngpíngfair
平píngflat
和平hépíngHeping district of Shenyang city 瀋陽市|沈阳市, Liaoning
平均píngjūnaverage
平时píngshíordinarily平時
平静píngjìngtranquil平靜
平方米píngfāngmǐsquare meter
平衡pínghéngbalance
平安píng’ānwell
平台píngtáiplatform平臺
平常píngchángordinary
平等píngděngequal
平民píngmíncommoner
太平洋Pacific Ocean
平凡píngfáncommonplace
摆平bǎipíngto be fair擺平
平稳píngwěnsmooth平穩
邓小平Deng Xiaoping (1904-1997), Chinese communist leader, de facto leader of PRC 1978-1990 and creator of "socialism with Chinese characteristics"鄧小平
平面píngmiànprint media
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 评 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 平
平 (píng) generally means 'level' or 'calm', while 平坦 (píng tǎn) specifically refers to something that is flat or even. Both terms convey a sense of smoothness, but 平坦 emphasizes a physical surface, whereas 平 can be more abstract.
Yes, 平 (píng) can function as a verb meaning 'to tie' or 'to draw' in the context of sports or games, such as when scores are equal. It's commonly used in phrases like 平局 (píng jú), meaning 'a tie' in a match.
平 (píng) has several meanings in Chinese, including 'level', 'equal', and 'calm'. It can also refer to a surname and is used in contexts like drawing a game or tying scores. Understanding its various uses can help in different conversational scenarios.
You can use 平 (píng) in a sentence to describe something as level or equal. For example, 平分 (píng fēn) means 'to divide equally'. Additionally, you might say '他很平静' (tā hěn píng jìng), meaning 'He is very calm'.
It is pronounced as 'píng' with a rising tone.
Yes, it can be used to describe anything flat, equal, or calm in both casual and formal discussions.
Common phrases include 平等 (píngděng, equality) and 平静 (píngjìng, calmness).
