Learn a Chinese Character - 均

1. Character Basics

Radical: 土/tǔ (earth, soil)

Stroke Count: 7

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: jūn (first tone)

3. Meaning

equal, even, fair, average, all, every

4. Common Words

• 平均 (píng jūn) - average, mean
• 均衡 (jūn héng) - balance, equilibrium
• 均匀 (jūn yún) - even, uniform
• 均等 (jūn děng) - equal, impartial
• 均摊 (jūn tān) - share equally, split evenly
• 均贫富 (jūn pín fù) - equalize wealth, reduce inequality

5. Grammar & Usage

• As an adjective: describes something that is evenly distributed or balanced

• As a verb: means to distribute or divide evenly

• As an adverb: means evenly, equally, or uniformly

• In mathematical terms: used to denote average or mean values

6. Cultural Background

The concept of "均" (fairness and equality) holds significant importance in Chinese culture. It is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese philosophy, particularly in Confucian and Daoist teachings that emphasize balance and harmony. The ideal of equitable distribution of resources has influenced Chinese social and political thought for millennia, from ancient times to modern concepts of social justice. The character appears in many idioms and proverbs related to fairness, balance, and moderation.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character "均" consists of 土 (tǔ, earth) and 匀 (yún, even). A helpful mnemonic is to imagine earth or soil being distributed evenly or uniformly. This visual association connects to the character's core meaning of equality and balance.