Skip to content
Kotomora

衡

equilibrium, measuring rod, scale

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes16

Readings

On'yomi

  • コウ

Kun'yomi

—

Nanori

  • ひら

Meaning

衡 centers on balance and measurement: a scale that finds equilibrium, or a measuring rod that ensures fairness. The idea of weighing and balancing connects all its meanings.

Most common words using 衡

20 of 56
  • 均衡きんこう
    N1

    balance; equilibrium

  • 平衡へいこう

    balance; equilibrium

  • 不均衡ふきんこう

    imbalance; lack of balance; lopsidedness; disproportion; inequality; disparity

  • 拡大均衡かくだいきんこう

    an expanded or expanding equilibrium

  • 合従連衡がっしょうれんこう

    alliance (of the Six Kingdoms against the Qin dynasty, and of individual Kingdoms with the Qin dynasty)

  • トロイ衡トロイこう

    troy weight (e.g. troy ounce, troy pound)

  • ナッシュ均衡ナッシュきんこう

    Nash equilibrium

  • 一目均衡表いちもくきんこうひょう

    ichimoku; chart analysis method for forecasting price movement

  • 一般均衡理論いっぱんきんこうりろん

    general equilibrium theory

  • 不平衡ふへいこう

    imbalance; disequilibrium

  • 児頭骨盤不均衡じとうこつばんふきんこう

    cephalopelvic disproportion; CPD

  • 利子平衡税りしへいこうぜい

    interest equalization tax; interest equalisation tax

  • 前平衡過程ぜんへいこうかてい

    preequilibrium process

  • 動的平衡どうてきへいこう

    dynamic equilibrium

  • 勢力均衡せいりょくきんこう

    balance of power

  • 化学平衡かがくへいこう

    chemical equilibrium

  • 国内均衡こくないきんこう

    domestic equilibrium; internal balance; internal equilibrium

  • 国際度量衡委員会こくさいどりょうこういいんかい

    Comite International des Poids et Measures; International Committee of Weights and Measures

  • 国際度量衡総会こくさいどりょうこうそうかい

    General Conference of Weights and Measures; Conference General des Poides et Mesures

  • 地殻均衡ちかくきんこう

    isostasy

Explore all words using 衡 →

Study

Etymology

衡 combines 行 (to go, movement) with an inner element that historically represented a scale or balance. The character likely depicted a balanced crossbeam or a weighing device, emphasizing equilibrium.

Meaning mnemonic

The outer 行 suggests movement or action, while the inner part looks like a balanced structure with a central 大 and a 田-like shape. Imagine a large scale (大) in a field (田) enclosed by a frame, perfectly balanced.

Reading mnemonic

For コウ, picture a scale balancing two equal weights, and think of the word 'equal' – the 'co' in 'equal' sounds like コウ, reminding you of equilibrium.