Keywords: pingjun, 平均, average in Chinese, mean in Chinese, what is pingjun, Chinese word for average, distribute evenly, statistical mean, Chinese math terms, HSK 4
Summary: Learn the meaning and use of '平均' (píngjūn), the essential Chinese word for 'average' or 'mean'. This comprehensive guide covers everything from its use in mathematics and statistics to its cultural role in describing fairness and even distribution. Discover how to use 平均 accurately in daily conversation with practical examples, cultural insights, and tips to avoid common mistakes for beginners.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): píngjūn
Part of Speech: Adjective, Adverb, Noun, Verb
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: Pertaining to the average or mean; to distribute or divide something evenly.
In a Nutshell: 平均 is the go-to Chinese word for “average” in almost every context, whether you're calculating the average of a set of numbers, talking about average temperature, or splitting a dinner bill evenly among friends. Its core concept is a combination of “level” and “even,” emphasizing balance, equality, and a central point.
Character Breakdown
平 (píng): This character's original form depicted duckweed floating on water, giving it the core meaning of “level,” “flat,” or “calm.” Think of a calm, flat lake surface. It also carries the meaning of “peaceful.”
均 (jūn): This character means “even,” “equal,” or “uniform.” It's composed of 土 (tǔ - earth) and a phonetic component. You can think of it as leveling a piece of earth to make it uniform.
When combined, 平均 (píngjūn) literally means “level and even.” This perfectly captures the mathematical and social idea of an average—a value that levels out the highs and lows—or the act of distributing something so that everyone gets an equal share.
Cultural Context and Significance
In Chinese culture, 平均 connects deeply with the values of fairness (公平, gōngpíng) and harmony (和谐, héxié). The idea of avoiding extremes and seeking a balanced middle path, a core concept in Confucianism known as the “Doctrine of the Mean” (中庸之道, Zhōngyōng zhī dào), resonates with the mathematical stability of an average.
Comparison with Western Culture: In American or Western culture, “average” can often carry a slightly negative connotation, as in “he's just an average student,” implying mediocrity. While this can also be true in Chinese, the concept of “even distribution” (`平均分配`) is viewed much more positively. In collectivist settings like a family or a team, ensuring everyone gets a fair and equal share is a sign of good leadership and social harmony. This contrasts with a more individualistic focus where distribution is often based purely on individual contribution or achievement. For instance, splitting a bill `平均` is the default and expected way among friends, showing camaraderie and equality.
Practical Usage in Modern China
平均 is a highly versatile and common word used across many domains. Its function changes depending on its position in a sentence.
As an Adjective: It describes a noun as being “average.” It is placed before the noun.
`平均价格 (píngjūn jiàgé)` - average price
`平均年龄 (píngjūn niánlíng)` - average age
As an Adverb: It describes how an action is performed, meaning “evenly” or “on average.” It is placed before the verb.
`我们平均分吧。(Wǒmen píngjūn fēn ba.)` - Let's split it evenly.
`他每天平均工作八个小时。(Tā měitiān píngjūn gōngzuò bā ge xiǎoshí.)` - He works an average of eight hours a day.
As a Noun: While it can be used as a noun, it's more common to see it in a compound like `平均数 (píngjūnshù)` which specifically means “the average” or “the mean” in a mathematical sense.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
我们班学生的平均年龄是二十岁。
Pinyin: Wǒmen bān xuéshēng de píngjūn niánlíng shì èrshí suì.
English: The average age of the students in our class is twenty years old.
Analysis: Here, 平均 is used as an adjective to modify “age” (年龄). This is a very common statistical usage.
Example 2:
这次考试，我的平均分是九十。
Pinyin: Zhè cì kǎoshì, wǒ de píngjūn fēn shì jiǔshí.
English: My average score on this exam was ninety.
Analysis: A classic example of using 平均 in an academic context. “平均分” (píngjūn fēn) means “average score/grade.”
Example 3:
晚饭钱我们平均分摊吧。
Pinyin: Wǎnfàn qián wǒmen píngjūn fēntān ba.
English: Let's split the dinner bill evenly.
Analysis: In this sentence, 平均 is an adverb modifying the verb “to share” (分摊). This demonstrates its practical use in social situations.
English: The manager asked us to distribute the workload evenly.
Analysis: “平均分配” (píngjūn fēnpèi) is a common set phrase meaning “to distribute evenly,” highlighting the cultural value of fairness in a work context.
Example 8:
中国的人均平均收入在逐年提高。
Pinyin: Zhōngguó de rénjūn píngjūn shōurù zài zhúnián tígāo.
English: China's per capita average income is increasing year by year.
Analysis: Used in an economic context. “人均” (rénjūn) means “per capita,” and it is often used together with 平均.
Example 9:
你需要计算出这些数字的平均数。
Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào jìsuàn chū zhèxiē shùzì de píngjūnshù.
English: You need to calculate the average of these numbers.
Analysis: This example uses the specific noun form `平均数 (píngjūnshù)`, which is the formal term for “mean” or “average” in mathematics.
Analysis: The phrase “平均来说” (píngjūn lái shuō) is a very useful way to say “on average” or “generally speaking” when introducing a statistical fact.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
平均 vs. 普通 (pǔtōng) / 一般 (yībān): This is the most common pitfall for learners. 平均 refers to a calculated, statistical average. It does not mean “average” in the sense of “ordinary,” “mediocre,” or “so-so.” For that, you should use `普通` or `一般`.
Incorrect: `他是一个很平均的人。` (Tā shì yī ge hěn píngjūn de rén.) This sounds very strange, as if the person is a mathematical calculation.
Correct: `他是一个很普通的人。` (Tā shì yī ge hěn pǔtōng de rén.) - He is a very ordinary person.
Correct: `这家餐厅的味道很一般。` (Zhè jiā cāntīng de wèidào hěn yībān.) - The food at this restaurant is just so-so / average.
Use in Quality Judgment: Never use 平均 to describe the quality of something. It is a neutral, quantitative term. Use `好 (hǎo)`, `坏 (huài)`, `一般 (yībān)`, etc., for qualitative judgments.
Related Terms and Concepts
* 平均数 (píngjūnshù) - The specific mathematical noun for “average” or “mean.” It's the answer you get when you calculate the 平均.
* 普通 (pǔtōng) - Ordinary, common, normal. Use this to describe a person or thing that is not special. Antonym of “special” (特别).
* 一般 (yībān) - General, ordinary, so-so. Often used to give a slightly negative or neutral judgment of quality (“it was just average”).
* 均匀 (jūnyún) - Even, uniform. Very similar to 平均 when meaning “evenly,” but `均匀` is almost always used for physical distribution, like stirring a mixture until it's uniform or spreading paint evenly.
* 公平 (gōngpíng) - Fair, just, impartial. This is the moral or ethical concept that 平均 often helps achieve in a social context.
* 中等 (zhōngděng) - Medium, middle-grade. Describes something that falls in the middle of a range of quality or size (e.g., medium-sized coffee).
* 大概 (dàgài) - Approximately, roughly. While an average is a precise calculation, `大概` is an estimate. They are related but distinct concepts.
* 标准 (biāozhǔn) - Standard. The average performance or result can often become the `标准`.