Japanese word

平ら

Pronunciation

Romajitaira

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveeven, flat

Example

床は平らです。yuka wa tai ra de su

The floor is even.

Illustration for 平ら (even)

More examples

平らな紙に絵をかきます。tai ra na kami ni e o ka ki ma su

I draw a picture on flat paper.

紙を平らにしてから、箱に入れます。kami o tai ra ni shi te ka ra bako ni i re ma su

I put the paper in the box after flattening it.

Core concept

Describes a surface with no noticeable rises or dips, making it even and level.

Common phrases

  • 平らな土地tai ra na to chi

    level land

  • 平らな面tai ra na men

    a flat surface

  • 平らにするtai ra ni su ru

    level

Similar words

平坦heitan: Describes a surface with no noticeable slopes, rises, or dips.
水平suihei: Describes something positioned parallel to the horizon without tilting.

Definition in Japanese

表面に高低や凹凸がなく、均一な状態だ。hyō men ni kō tei ya ō totsu ga na ku kin itsu na jō tai da

Word origin

The native Japanese word 平ら (taira, "flat") has an uncertain internal formation, so no separate meaning can be securely assigned to its final element.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 平ら (taira) mainly describes physical surfaces, while English even also applies to numbers, timing, and balance.

Other meanings

  • levelna-adjective

Opposites

  • でこぼこdekobokounevenna-adjective

Related words

  • 平らさtairasaflatnessnoun

Word lists with this word