Meet 等 in 等しい, 平等 and 一等. Read each complete word in its context.

The idea

等 has 12 strokes; follow the linked KanjiVG diagram. Compare 等しい（ひとしい） and 平等（びょうどう）: learn each reading with the whole word.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
等しいひとしいThe two lengths are equal.
平等びょうどうWe aim for a society where everyone can learn equally.
一等いっとうThe first prize is a bicycle.
一等席いっとうせきI booked a first-class seat on the train.

Examples

  • 二ふたつの長ながさは等ひとしいです。The two lengths are equal.
  • 人ひとを二ふたつのチームに等ひとしく分わけます。We divide the people equally into two teams.
  • みんなが平等びょうどうに学まなべる社会しゃかいを目指めざします。We aim for a society where everyone can learn equally.
  • 誰だれに対たいしても平等びょうどうに接せっしてください。Please treat everyone equally.
  • 一等いっとうの賞品しょうひんは自転車じてんしゃです。The first prize is a bicycle.
  • くじで一等いっとうが当あたりました。I won first prize in the draw.
  • 列車れっしゃの一等席いっとうせきを予約よやくしました。I booked a first-class seat on the train.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

等しい means equal, 平等 describes equality or fairness, and 一等 can mean first prize. Compare 等 with 待: 等 has the bamboo top ⺮, while 待 has 彳 on the left. 一等席 means a first-class seat: 等 can also mark a grade or rank.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 等しい in hiragana.

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    ひとしい

    等しい is read ひとしい. In context: The two lengths are equal.

  2. Write the reading of 平等 in hiragana.

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    びょうどう

    平等 is read びょうどう. In context: We aim for a society where everyone can learn equally.

  3. Fill in the missing kanji: 一＿（いっとう）.

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    等

    等 completes 一等, read いっとう. In context: The first prize is a bicycle.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 等 from memory, and read 等しい and 平等 aloud. Then make a sentence with one of them.