Explore 平 in the words 平ら and 平日. Learn the reading and meaning of each complete word in context.

The idea

Kanji may have Japanese-origin and Chinese-origin readings; learn each with its word. Compare 平ら（たいら） and 平日（へいじつ）. 平 has 5 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingMeaning
平らたいらflat; level
平日へいじつweekday
平和へいわpeace

Examples

  • この机つくえの表面ひょうめんは平たいらです。The surface of this desk is flat.
  • 平たいらな場所ばしょに箱はこを置おいてください。Please put the box on a flat surface.
  • 平日へいじつは会社かいしゃで働はたらきます。I work at the office on weekdays.
  • この図書館としょかんは平日へいじつの朝あさ九時くじに開あきます。This library opens at nine in the morning on weekdays.
  • 世界せかいの平和へいわを願ねがっています。I hope for world peace.
  • 家族かぞくと平和へいわについて話はなしました。I talked about peace with my family.

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

Watch out

Use 平らな before a noun; 平日 refers to an ordinary weekday or business day. Compare the components: 平：干＋丷／干。

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 平ら in hiragana.

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    たいら

    平ら is read たいら; it means flat; level. Learn the reading as part of this word.

  2. Write the reading of 平日 in hiragana.

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    へいじつ

    平日 is read へいじつ; it means weekday. Learn the reading as part of this word.

  3. Fill in the missing kanji: ＿和（へいわ）.

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    平

    平 completes 平和, read へいわ; the word means peace.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 平 from memory, and read 平ら and 平日 aloud. Then check the readings and meanings.