平たい

• 読み: ひらたい
• ローマ字: hiratai
• 漢字の分解: 平 (hei/hira) — flat, even, level, peace
• 発音: /hi.ɾa.ta.i/

意味

Flat; level; even. Having a smooth, horizontal surface without bumps or elevation.

An i-adjective describing a physically flat surface: 平たい石 (a flat stone), 平たく伸ばす (to flatten out). Also used figuratively in the expression 平たく言えば (hirataku ieba, to put it plainly/in simple terms), where 'flattening' language means simplifying it. The word implies a lack of height or protrusion — something pressed down or naturally level. More colloquial than 平ら (taira, flat/level), which sounds more formal.

例文

1. 平たい石を集めて水切りをした。
2. 生地を平たく伸ばしてください。
3. 平たく言えば予算が足りないということだ。

使い方ガイド

場面: cooking, crafts, explanation

トーン: neutral

起源と歴史

From 平 (hira, flat/level) + the i-adjective ending たい. The kanji 平 depicts a flat, even surface and is the foundation of many words related to flatness, equality, and peace (平和, 平等, 平野).

文化的背景

時代: Pre-modern

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal