Translation guide
The English word "balance" covers physical stability, mental/emotional stability, financial accounting, and the idea of a remainder. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
The ability to keep steady and not fall, or the state of being evenly distributed.
The most common and versatile word for physical balance, used in everyday speech. It can refer to bodily balance, balance in design, or balance of elements.
バランスを崩して転んだ。
I lost my balance and fell.
この料理は味のバランスがいい。
This dish has a good balance of flavors.
A more formal term for balance or equilibrium, often used in written or technical contexts, such as economics or physics.
需要と供給の均衡が崩れた。
The balance between supply and demand collapsed.
Refers to balance in the sense of proportion or symmetry, often used for visual or structural balance.
この絵は色の釣り合いが取れている。
This painting has a good balance of colors.
A state of psychological equilibrium, calmness, or healthy moderation in life.
Also used for mental or lifestyle balance, just like in English. Very common in phrases like ワークライフバランス (work-life balance).
仕事と家庭のバランスが大切だ。
Balance between work and family is important.
心のバランスを保つ。
Maintain mental balance.
Means stability, often used for emotional or mental stability. It implies a steady, unshaken state.
Literally 'organizing one's feelings', used when someone needs to regain emotional balance or composure.
少し時間をかけて気持ちの整理をした。
I took some time to get my emotions in balance.
The amount of money left in an account, or the difference between credits and debits.
The standard term for account balance. Used for bank accounts, prepaid cards, etc.
口座の残高を確認する。
Check the account balance.
残高が不足しています。
The balance is insufficient.
Refers to the difference or balance between two amounts, often in accounting or when making up a shortfall.
Sometimes used in financial contexts due to English influence, but 残高 is much more natural.
Using バランス for account balance may sound unnatural; prefer 残高.
The part that is left over after other parts have been dealt with.
The most common word for 'remainder' or 'rest'. Can be used for time, money, items, etc.
残りの時間でこれを終わらせよう。
Let's finish this in the balance of time.
残りのお金は貯金します。
I'll save the balance of the money.
Also means remainder, but often implies surplus or extra. Slightly more formal than 残り.
An instrument for determining weight, often called a balance in older or scientific contexts.
Specifically refers to a balance scale with two pans. Used in laboratories or traditional settings.
薬を天秤で量る。
Weigh the medicine on a balance.
General word for scales or weighing devices, including digital scales. Not specifically a balance.
バランス is the everyday word for balance in most contexts. 均衡 is formal and often used in economic, political, or scientific discussions about equilibrium. For personal balance, always use バランス.
バランスの取れた食事
a balanced diet
勢力均衡
balance of power
While バランス is understood in some financial contexts due to English, the natural Japanese word for account balance is 残高 (ざんだか). Using バランス may sound like a loanword misuse.
バランスを崩して転んだ。
I lost my balance and fell.
口座の残高を確認してください。
Check your account balance.
ワークライフバランスは大切です。
Work-life balance is important.
精神的な安定が必要だ。
I need mental stability.
Pay the balance (difference).
Pay the credit card balance.
Refund the balance of the budget.
荷物を秤に載せる。
Put the luggage on the scale.