píngděng: 平等 - Equality, Equal

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• Summary: Discover the meaning of 平等 (píngděng), the core Chinese word for “equality.” This page explores its cultural significance in modern China, contrasting it with traditional hierarchies and comparing it to the Western concept of fairness. Learn how píngděng is used in discussions about everything from gender equality and social justice to legal rights, with practical examples and clear explanations for beginner learners.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): píngděng
• Part of Speech: Noun, Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.
• In a Nutshell: 平等 (píngděng) is the direct and powerful Chinese term for “equality.” It refers to the idea that all people should have the same intrinsic value, rights, and opportunities, regardless of their background. While the concept itself is universal, its emphasis in China is particularly significant as it often stands in direct contrast to centuries of deeply ingrained social and familial hierarchies. It is an aspirational term used in legal, social, and personal contexts.

• 平 (píng): This character's original meaning is “flat” or “level,” like a calm, flat surface of water. It also carries the meaning of “peaceful” or “calm.”
• 等 (děng): This character means “equal,” “class,” or “rank.” Think of students in the same grade (等级 děngjí).
• Together, 平等 (píngděng) literally combines “flat/level” (平) with “same rank” (等) to create a very clear and visual meaning: everyone is on the same level plane, with the same rank.

平等 (píngděng) is a cornerstone of modern Chinese social and political discourse, but its cultural weight comes from its tension with tradition. Historically, Chinese society was structured by Confucian principles that emphasized hierarchy and distinct roles, such as the “Five Relationships” (五伦, wǔlún), which defined relationships between ruler and subject, father and son, husband and wife, etc. These relationships were explicitly unequal and based on reciprocal duties, not equality. The concept of 平等 gained prominence in the 20th century, heavily promoted by the Communist Party as a revolutionary ideal to dismantle the “feudal” past. The famous slogan “法律面前人人平等” (fǎlǜ miànqián rénrén píngděng) — “Everyone is equal before the law” — represents this modern ideal. Compared to the Western idea of “equality,” which is often rooted in Enlightenment concepts of individual liberty and natural rights, the Chinese emphasis on 平等 is frequently framed as a collective goal. It's about creating a stable and “harmonious society” (和谐社会, héxié shèhuì) by reducing the social friction caused by vast disparities. It is less about individual self-actualization and more about the balanced functioning of the group. Today, the most prominent use of 平等 is in the context of 男女平等 (nánnǚ píngděng) — gender equality — a goal that is officially supported but still a major topic of social debate.

平等 (píngděng) is a formal and powerful word used in a variety of serious contexts. You will hear it in the news, in legal documents, in academic discussions, and in social activism.

• In Law and Politics: It is used to assert fundamental rights and legal principles. The connotation is absolute and non-negotiable.
• In Social Discussions: It's the primary term for advocating for social change, especially regarding gender, income, and regional equality. On social media, discussions about women's rights will almost always use the term 男女平等.
• In Personal Relationships: While less common in casual chat, one might describe a healthy modern relationship (romantic or platonic) as being built on a foundation of 平等. This implies mutual respect and a rejection of traditional, more hierarchical relationship dynamics.

The term is almost always positive and aspirational. It is rarely used informally.

• Example 1:
  • 法律面前，人人平等。
  • Pinyin: Fǎlǜ miànqián, rénrén píngděng.
  • English: Before the law, everyone is equal.
  • Analysis: This is a famous and foundational legal principle in China. It's a formal and powerful statement you'll see in textbooks and official documents.
• Example 2:
  • 我们公司致力于实现男女平等。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī zhìlì yú shíxiàn nánnǚ píngděng.
  • English: Our company is committed to achieving gender equality.
  • Analysis: 男女平等 (nánnǚ píngděng) is a very common fixed phrase. This sentence is typical of corporate or official language.
• Example 3:
  • 每个孩子都应该有平等的教育机会。
  • Pinyin: Měi ge háizi dōu yīnggāi yǒu píngděng de jiàoyù jīhuì.
  • English: Every child should have equal educational opportunities.
  • Analysis: Here, 平等 is used as an adjective to modify “opportunities” (机会, jīhuì). It highlights the concept of equality of opportunity.
• Example 4:
  • 我认为，一段健康的关系需要建立在平等和尊重的基础上。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ rènwéi, yī duàn jiànkāng de guānxì xūyào jiànlì zài píngděng hé zūnzhòng de jīchǔ shàng.
  • English: I believe a healthy relationship needs to be built on a foundation of equality and respect.
  • Analysis: This shows how 平等 can be used to describe personal values in relationships, contrasting with more traditional, hierarchical views.
• Example 5:
  • 他们要求得到平等的待遇。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen yāoqiú dédào píngděng de dàiyù.
  • English: They demand to receive equal treatment.
  • Analysis: This is a common phrase in the context of protests or negotiations, often related to workers' rights or social justice. 待遇 (dàiyù) means “treatment” or “pay/benefits.”
• Example 6:
  • 实现真正的社会平等还有很长的路要走。
  • Pinyin: Shíxiàn zhēnzhèng de shèhuì píngděng hái yǒu hěn cháng de lù yào zǒu.
  • English: There is still a long way to go to achieve true social equality.
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses the aspirational nature of 平等. It acknowledges that the ideal has not yet been fully realized.
• Example 7:
  • 这两份工作的要求不同，所以薪水不平等是正常的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè liǎng fèn gōngzuò de yāoqiú bùtóng, suǒyǐ xīnshuǐ bù píngděng shì zhèngcháng de.
  • English: The requirements for these two jobs are different, so it's normal that the salaries are not equal.
  • Analysis: This shows the negative form, 不平等 (bù píngděng), meaning “unequal.” It's used here in a neutral, descriptive way.
• Example 8:
  • 种族平等是全人类的共同追求。
  • Pinyin: Zhǒngzú píngděng shì quán rénlèi de gòngtóng zhuīqiú.
  • English: Racial equality is a common pursuit of all humankind.
  • Analysis: 种族平等 (zhǒngzú píngděng) is the standard term for “racial equality.” This sentence is formal and idealistic.
• Example 9:
  • 父母应该平等地对待每一个孩子。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ yīnggāi píngděng de duìdài měi yī ge háizi.
  • English: Parents should treat every child equally.
  • Analysis: The adverbial form 平等地 (píngděng de) is used here to describe *how* an action should be done—in an equal manner.
• Example 10:
  • 如果没有经济上的平等，其他方面的平等都很难保证。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ méiyǒu jīngjì shàng de píngděng, qítā fāngmiàn de píngděng dōu hěn nán bǎozhèng.
  • English: If there is no economic equality, equality in other aspects is very difficult to guarantee.
  • Analysis: This complex sentence shows how 平等 can be applied to different domains (e.g., economic, social, political) within a single argument.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 平等 (píngděng) and 公平 (gōngpíng).

• 平等 (píngděng) - Equality: This refers to sameness in outcome, status, or quantity. It means everyone gets the same thing. Think of it as giving everyone a size 8 shoe, regardless of their foot size. It's perfectly equal, but not necessarily fair or effective.
• 公平 (gōngpíng) - Fairness/Impartiality: This refers to justice and impartiality in process or treatment, where the goal is to create a just outcome, even if it means treating people differently based on their needs. Think of it as giving everyone a shoe that fits their foot. The shoes are unequal, but the situation is fair.

Common Mistake: Using 平等 when you mean “fair.”

• Incorrect: 老师，这不平等！他比我多一块糖！ (Lǎoshī, zhè bù píngděng! Tā bǐ wǒ duō yī kuài táng!)
• Why it's wrong: While technically not “equal,” a child's complaint about a situation being “unfair” is better expressed with 公平.
• Correct: 老师，这不公平！ (Lǎoshī, zhè bù gōngpíng!) - “Teacher, this isn't fair!”

In short: Use 平等 for grand ideals like legal and social equality. Use 公平 for everyday situations involving fairness, rules in a game, or just distribution.

• 公平 (gōngpíng) - Fairness, impartiality. The most important related concept, focusing on just process rather than equal outcome.
• 权利 (quánlì) - Right(s). People often demand 权利 based on the principle of 平等.
• 歧视 (qíshì) - Discrimination. The act of treating people unequally and unfairly; the direct opposite of action based on 平等.
• 自由 (zìyóu) - Freedom, liberty. Along with democracy and equality, it's considered a core modern value.
• 人权 (rénquán) - Human rights. The international framework that provides a basis for demanding 平等.
• 差距 (chājù) - Gap, disparity. Refers to a lack of equality, such as in income (贫富差距, pínfù chājù) or education.
• 同等 (tóngděng) - Equal, of the same rank/level. A close synonym often used in formal or legal contexts to mean “of equal status,” e.g., 享有同等权利 (xiǎngyǒu tóngděng quánlì) - to enjoy equal rights.
• 待遇 (dàiyù) - Treatment, pay and benefits. You can demand 平等待遇 (píngděng dàiyù), or equal treatment.