na-adjective, noun
flat; flattened; oblate
Describes a shape that is compressed in one direction, such as a flat face, a flattened sphere, or a low-profile object. Often used in technical or descriptive contexts.
この石は扁平な形をしている。
This stone has a flat shape.
地球は完全な球体ではなく、扁平している。
The Earth is not a perfect sphere; it is oblate.
平ら is a more common, everyday word for 'flat' or 'level', while 扁平 is more technical and often implies a flattened or compressed shape.
平坦 means 'flat' or 'even' in the sense of a surface without bumps, often used for roads or terrain, whereas 扁平 emphasizes a flattened, often three-dimensional form.
From the kanji 扁 (flat, thin) and 平 (flat, level). The reading へんぺい is on'yomi. The variant 偏平 uses 偏 (biased, leaning) which can also imply flatness in certain contexts.