héng

衡

Character · Noun · Verb · Adjective

steelyard; weigh; balance

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

5 senses · 25 examples
1.

noun

the beam of a steelyard; weighing apparatus

literary

Refers specifically to the sliding beam of a traditional Chinese steelyard, or scales in general.

Tā他
shǒu手
lǐ里
ná拿
zhe着
yī一
gǎn杆
jiù旧
héng衡
 。

He held an old steelyard in his hand.

Zhè这
zhǒng种
héng衡
kě可
yǐ以
chēng称
hěn很
zhòng重
de的
wù物
tǐ体
 。

This kind of scale can weigh very heavy objects.

Show 3 more examples
Gǔ古
dài代
zuò做
mǎi买
mài卖
lí离
bù不
kāi开
héng衡
 。

In ancient times, buying and selling couldn't be done without a steelyard.

Qǐng请
bǎ把
héng衡
jiào校
zhǔn准
yī一
xià下
 。

Please calibrate the steelyard.

Zhè这
gǎn杆
héng衡
de的
kè刻
dù度
hěn很
qīng清
xī晰
 。

The graduations on this steelyard beam are very clear.

2.

verb

to weigh; to measure weight

neutral

Specifically used in the context of using a scale or steelyard.

Qù去
cài菜
shì市
chǎng场
héng衡
yī一
xià下
yǒu有
duō多
zhòng重
 。

Go to the market and weigh how heavy it is.

Bǎ把
píng苹
guǒ果
fàng放
zài在
pán盘
zi子
lǐ里
héng衡
 。

Put the apples in the pan to weigh them.

Show 3 more examples
Qǐng请
bāng帮
wǒ我
héng衡
zhè这
jǐ几
jīn斤
mǐ米
 。

Please weigh these few pounds of rice for me.

Bú不
yòng用
héng衡
 ,
gū估
jì计
yī一
xià下
jiù就
xíng行
le了
 。

No need to weigh, just estimating is fine.

Zhè这
ge个
héng衡
qì器
hěn很
jīng精
zhǔn准
 。

This weighing instrument is very precise.

3.

verb

to judge; to evaluate; to weigh (options or situation)

formal

Metaphorical use of weighing. Common in formal contexts like 'weighing the pros and cons'.

Wǒ我
men们
yào要
héng衡
qíng情
dù度
lǐ理
 ,
zuò做
chū出
gōng公
zhèng正
de的
pàn判
duàn断
 。

We must judge the situation and reason to make a fair decision.

Zuò做
shì事
bù不
néng能
zhǐ只
píng凭
zhí直
jué觉
 ,
yào要
héng衡
qīng轻
zhòng重
 。

One should not rely solely on intuition when doing things; one must weigh the importance.

Show 3 more examples
Héng衡
liáng量
lì利
bì弊
dé得
shī失
shì是
hěn很
zhòng重
yào要
de的
 。

Weighing the pros and cons is very important.

Zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
hěn很
nán难
héng衡
chū出
ge个
duì对
cuò错
 。

It's hard to weigh this matter and determine right from wrong.

Tā他
héng衡
le了
bàn半
tiān天
 ,
hái还
shì是
méi没
ná拿
dìng定
zhǔ主
yì意
 。

He weighed the options for a long time but still couldn't make up his mind.

4.

adjective

balanced; level; equilibrium

neutral

Describes a state of equilibrium or being level.

Zhè这
zhāng张
zhuō桌
zi子
fàng放
bù不
píng平
héng衡
 。

This table isn't placed levelly.

Wǒ我
men们
yào要
bǎo保
chí持
shōu收
zhī支
píng平
héng衡
 。

We must keep income and expenditure balanced.

Show 3 more examples
Zhè这
zhǒng种
jūn均
héng衡
yǐn饮
shí食
hěn很
jiàn健
kāng康
 。

This balanced diet is very healthy.

Zhǐ只
yǒu有
tiān天
píng平
héng衡
le了
 ,
dú读
shù数
cái才
zhǔn准
 。

Only when the balance scale is level will the reading be accurate.

Tā他
de的
xīn心
lǐ理
bǎo保
chí持
de得
hěn很
píng平
héng衡
 。

He maintains a good sense of psychological balance.

5.

noun

a Chinese surname

neutral

Used as a family name.

Wǒ我
yǒu有
yī一
wèi位
tóng同
xué学
xìng姓
héng衡
 。

I have a classmate whose surname is Heng.

Héng衡
xiān先
sheng生
shì是
wǒ我
men们
de的
xīn新
jīng经
lǐ理
 。

Mr. Heng is our new manager.

Show 3 more examples
Héng衡
shì氏
jiā家
zú族
lì历
shǐ史
yǒu悠
jiǔ久
 。

The Heng family has a long history.

Zài在
gǔ古
dài代
 ,
Héng衡
xìng姓
shì是
yī一
ge个
wàng望
zú族
 。

In ancient times, the Heng clan was a prominent family.

Nǐ你
rèn认
shi识
Héng衡
lǎo老
xiān先
sheng生
ma吗
 ?

Do you know Mr. Heng?