The character 平 — “flat”: how to write it and what it means
flat, calm
The Chinese character 平 is read píng and means “flat, calm”. Below: the stroke order step by step, what the character is made of and the words it appears in.
Stroke order: how to write 平
平 has 5 strokes. At each step the new stroke is highlighted — write them in the same order: top to bottom and left to right, horizontal before vertical, a frame before what is inside it, and the bottom stroke of the frame last.
To train your hand, print a handwriting sheet for 平, with strokes to trace and empty squares.
Words with 平
- 平时usually, ordinarilyHSK 3
- 水平levelHSK 3
- 平常ordinary; usuallyHSK 4
- 平衡balance; balancedHSK 5
- 平静calmHSK 5
- 平均average; on averageHSK 5
- 平台platformHSK 5
- 公平fairHSK 5
- 平安safe, wellHSK 5
- 平方square (power); square meterHSK 6
- 平等equalHSK 6
- 和平peace (no war)HSK 6
- 平凡ordinary, commonplaceHSK 6
- 平方米square meterHSK 6
Frequently asked questions
How do you write the character 平?
平 has 5 strokes. They follow the usual rules: top to bottom, left to right, horizontal before vertical, outside before inside. The order of each stroke is shown on this page.
What does 平 mean?
平 means “flat, calm”. It appears in 平时 (“usually”), 水平 (“level”), 平常 (“ordinary”), 平衡 (“balance”).
How do you pronounce 平?
平 is read píng. The tone is part of the reading: with another melody it becomes another syllable.
How many strokes does 平 have?
5 strokes.
More characters on the page “Chinese characters with meanings” and in the list of HSK characters by level; whole words are in the dictionary.
Write 平 yourself
In the lessons you write characters stroke by stroke with a finger or a mouse, and the course checks the order. You can start for free, no sign-up needed.
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