平均

• Pinyin: píng jūn
• Hanzi breakdown: 平 = 干 (level) + 八 (divide), something flat and balanced; 均 = 土 (earth) + 勻 (even, phonetic), evenly balanced across a surface

Meaning

To average out; to distribute evenly (V); average; equal; even (Adj). Describes sharing something equally or representing a statistical mean.

As a verb, 平均 means to share out equally (e.g., 平均分配 — distribute evenly). As an adjective, it describes things that are evenly distributed or representative of a statistical average (e.g., 平均成绩 — average score; 平均工资 — average wage). Common in mathematics, economics, and everyday contexts. 平均值 = average value.

Examples

1. 这次考试全班的平均分是八十二分。 The class average for this exam was 82 marks.
2. 他们把奖金平均分配给了所有参与项目的人。 They distributed the bonus evenly among everyone who took part in the project.
3. 这个城市的平均气温比北方城市高很多。 The average temperature in this city is much higher than in northern cities.

Usage Guide

Context: math, economics, everyday, weather

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这五个数字的平均值是多少？(What is the average value of these five numbers?)
• 工作要平均分配，不能让一个人做太多。(Work should be distributed evenly — one person shouldn't have to do too much.)

Don't Say

• 用'平均'表示'完全相同'的意思 (Don't use 平均 to mean 'exactly identical' — it means averaged or evenly distributed, not necessarily equal in every respect; use 相同 or 一样 for sameness)

Origin & History

A compound of 平 (flat/equal/level) + 均 (even/balanced). Both characters emphasise evenness and balance, making the compound highly expressive of uniformity.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal