Japanese word

水平

Pronunciation

Romajisuihei

Meaning

  • na-adjectivehorizontal

Example

この線は水平です。ko no sen wa sui hei de su

This line is horizontal.

Illustration for 水平 (horizontal)

More examples

黒板の線は水平です。koku ban no sen wa sui hei de su

The line on the board is horizontal.

大工は水準器で、棚が水平か確認します。dai ku wa sui jun ki de tana ga sui hei ka kaku nin shi ma su

The carpenter checks whether the shelf is level with a spirit level.

Core concept

Describes a position that runs parallel to the horizon or remains at an even height, giving it the senses of horizontal and level.

Common phrases

  • 水平になるsui hei ni na ru

    become horizontal

  • 水平な面sui hei na men

    horizontal surface

  • 水平に保つsui hei ni tamo tsu

    keep horizontal

Similar words

平らtaira: Describes a surface with an even, smooth shape and no raised or lowered parts.
平坦heitan: Describes land or a surface that is broadly flat, with few changes in height.

Definition in Japanese

横方向にまっすぐで、上がったり下がったりしていないさま。yoko hō kō ni ma ssu gu de a ga tta ri sa ga tta ri shi te i na i sa ma

Word origin

水平 (suihei) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 水 (sui, "water") and 平 (hei, "flat"); the flat surface of water provides its basic sense.

Usage tips

  • In precise English, horizontal describes orientation from side to side, whereas level describes a surface that is even rather than sloping.

Other meanings

  • levelna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 水平化suiheikalevelingnoun
  • 水平性suiheiseihorizontalitynoun

Word lists with this word