What is the Kanji for "Flat"?

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "Flat", you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for "Flat" is "平".

This kanji has 4 readings:

Its kunyomi readings are "Hira" and "Tai".

Its onyomi readings are "Hei" and "Byou".

kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.

If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:

The kanji "干" means "Dry" and can be read as "Hi", "Kan", and "Ho". And The radical "丷" means "Divide" .

Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.

What does the kanji "平" mean in japanese?

"平" means "Flat".

Japanese School Students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N3 exam.

Here are some words that use this kanji:

平仮名: "Hiragana". The Japanese word '平仮名 (ひらがな)' refers to the Japanese phonetic writing system consisting of symbols that represent the basic sounds of the Japanese language. Hiragana is one of the three main writing systems used in Japan, along with katakana and kanji. It is generally used for grammatical elements, common words, and words of Japanese origin. For example: He wrote his name in hiragana - (彼はひらがなで名前を書きました).

平和: "Peace". The Japanese adjectival noun '平和 (へいわ)' means 'peace'. It refers to a state of tranquility, quiet, and non-violence, the absence of war or conflict. It can be used to describe a situation, environment, or society that is free from disturbance, turmoil, or hostility. For example: We hope for world peace - (私たちは世界平和を願っています). The country is enjoying a period of peace - (その国は平和な時期を過ごしている).

平成: "Heisei". The Japanese noun '平成 (へいせい)' refers to the name given to the era of the reign of Emperor Hirohito, which lasted from 1989 to 2019. The Heisei era followed the Showa era and was succeeded by the current Reiwa era. It is one of the Japanese gengo, or era names, used to identify and mark different periods of Japan's history. For example: The Heisei era lasted from 1989 to 2019 - (平成は1989年から2019年まで続いた).

水平: "Horizontal". The adjectival noun '水平 (すいへい)' means 'horizontal'. This refers to something that is parallel to the horizon, or flat and level. It is commonly used to describe the orientation or position of objects. For example: The table is perfectly horizontal - (テーブルは完全に水平だ). The picture frame needs to be hung in a horizontal position - (写真立ては水平に掛ける必要がある).

水平線: "Horizon". The Japanese noun '水平線 (すいへいせん)' refers to the line where the sky and earth or sea appear to meet. This is known as the 'horizon'. The horizon is the apparent line that divides the visible portion of the earth's surface from the sky. For example: I could see the horizon from the top of the hill - (丘の上から水平線が見えた). The sun set below the horizon - (太陽が水平線の下に沈んだ).

公平: "Fairness" or "Impartiality". The adjectival noun '公平 (こうへい)' refers to the quality of being fair and impartial. It describes a state of being where there is no bias or favoritism, and everyone is treated equally. This word is often used to describe the ideal of justice, where decisions are made based on objective criteria rather than personal interests. For example: He acted with complete fairness - (彼は完全な公平さを持って行動した). The committee made a fair and impartial decision - (委員会は公平な判断をした).

平: "Flat". The Japanese noun '平 (たいら)' means 'flat'. This word is used to describe surfaces, terrain or landscapes that are even, level, and without hills or bumps. It can be used to refer to a flat field, plain or tabletop. For example: The land is flat - (この土地は平らである). The table is flat - (この机は平らである).

平面: "Plane". The Japanese noun '平面 (へいめん)' refers to a flat, two-dimensional surface or area. It is used to describe any flat, planar object or concept, such as a geometric plane, a flat surface, or a flat layout. For example: The drawing is on a flat plane - (その絵は平面に描かれている). The design is in a single plane - (そのデザインは1つの平面の中にある).

平気: "Calm". The Japanese adjective '平気 (へいき)' means 'calm'. This adjective is used to describe a state of being relaxed, unworried, and having no anxiety or tension. It implies a sense of composure and tranquility. For example: I am calm about the situation - (この状況で私は平気だ). He remained calm even during the emergency - (緊急事態でも彼は平気でいた).

平行: "Parallel". The verbal noun '平行 (へいこう)' means 'parallel'. This term refers to the state or condition of being parallel, where two or more things, such as lines, planes, or objects, are equidistant from each other at all points. It is commonly used in mathematics, geometry, and other technical fields to describe the spatial relationship between geometric elements. For example: The train tracks run parallel to the highway - (電車の線路は高速道路と平行している).

不平: "Discontent". The Japanese adjectival noun '不平 (ふへい)' means 'discontent'. This word expresses a feeling of dissatisfaction, displeasure, or complaint about a situation or circumstance. It can be used to describe one's own feelings or the general sentiment of a group. For example: His discontent with the company's decision was evident - (彼の会社の決定に対する不平が明らかだった). The employees voiced their discontent about the new policies - (従業員たちは新しい方針に対する不平を訴えた).

地平線: "Horizon". The Japanese noun '地平線 (ちへいせん)' refers to the line where the earth and sky appear to meet. This is the horizon that can be seen in the distance, especially when looking at a flat landscape or the ocean. The horizon is an important reference point for navigation and orientation. Example sentences: I could see the sun setting on the horizon - (地平線に沈む夕日が見えた). The horizon seemed to stretch on forever - (地平線が果てしなく続いているように見えた).

平野: "Plain". The Japanese noun '平野 (へいや)' means 'plain'. This refers to a large, flat area of land, often used for agricultural purposes. It is a common geographic feature found throughout Japan. For example: We drove through the vast plain - (私たちは広大な平野を通り抜けました). The farmland is located in the plain - (その農地は平野にあります).

平たい: "Flat". The Japanese adjective '平たい (ひらたい)' means 'flat'. This adjective describes something that has a smooth, level surface with no bumps or unevenness. It can be used to describe physical objects, surfaces, or even abstract concepts. For example: The table is flat - (テーブルは平たい). The land is flat - (土地は平たい).

平方: "Square". The Japanese noun '平方 (へいほう)' means 'square'. It refers to a geometric shape with four equal sides and four right angles. This word is commonly used to express measurements and areas, such as in 'square meters' or 'square feet'. For example: The room is 20 square meters - (この部屋は20平方メートルです). The area of the garden is 100 square feet - (庭の面積は100平方フィートです).

平日: "Weekday". The Japanese noun '平日 (へいじつ)' refers to the normal workdays or business days of the week, as opposed to weekends or holidays. It is commonly used to distinguish regular work or school days from non-work days. For example: I have to work on weekdays - (私は平日に仕事をしなければなりません). Our office is closed on weekdays - (うちの会社は平日は休みです).

平均: "Average" or "Mean". The Japanese verbal noun '平均 (へいきん)' refers to the average or mean value of a set of numbers or data points. It describes a central tendency or typical value that represents the whole group. For example: The average test score was 85 - (試験の平均点は85点でした). The mean salary of the employees is 50,000 yen - (従業員の平均給与は50,000円です).

平等: "Equality". The Japanese adjectival noun '平等 (びょうどう)' means 'equality'. It refers to the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. This concept is highly valued in Japanese culture and society. For example: Equality under the law - (法の下の平等). The principle of equality - (平等の原則).

不平等: "Inequality". The adjectival noun '不平等 (ふびょうどう)' means 'inequality'. This term refers to a lack of equality or fairness, often in the distribution of wealth, status, or opportunity within a society. It describes a situation where some individuals or groups have more advantages or privileges than others. For example: The economic inequality in this country is a major social issue - (この国の経済的不平等は重大な社会問題です). Inequality in education opportunities still exists - (教育の機会の不平等はまだ存在している).

不公平: "Unfair". The adjectival noun '不公平 (ふこうへい)' means 'unfair'. This term is used to describe a situation or treatment that is not fair, equitable, or just. It implies a lack of impartiality, bias, or discrimination. For example: The grading system is unfair - (採点システムが不公平だ). It's not fair that they received better treatment - (彼らがより良い待遇を受けたのは不公平だ).

平凡: "Ordinary". The Japanese adjectival noun '平凡 (へいぼん)' means 'ordinary'. This word describes something that is typical, unexceptional, or lacking in distinction. It can be used to describe people, objects, or situations that are commonplace and unremarkable. For example: His life is ordinary - (彼の生活は平凡だ). An ordinary day - (平凡な一日)

To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.

But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.

Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.

This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:

The hiragana "へ" is read as "he". The hiragana "い" is read as "i". The hiragana "び" is read as "bi". The hiragana "う" is read as "u". The hiragana "ひ" is read as "hi". The hiragana "ら" is read as "ra". And The hiragana "た" is read as "ta".

Heres a quick tutorial on how to use it. You'll be asked three type of questions: meaning, reading, and writing.

For meanings questions all you have to do is type the english meaning. If there is more than one meaning, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Reading questions you have to type the reading in romaji (roman letters, our normal alphabet) and it'll be automatically converted to hiragana if necessary. If there is more than one reading, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Writing questions some options will appear and all you have to do is select the correct ones.