Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Equality" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "equality", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
均等
きんとう (kintou)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
万物斉同
ばんぶつせいどう (banbutsuseidou)
C2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "equality" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 均等 and 万物斉同.
In Japanese, 均等 (きんとう (kintou)) is typically associated with "equality, uniformity, evenness" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Describes something being distributed, divided, or treated equally or uniformly without disparity. Often used as a な-adjective.
On the other hand, 万物斉同 (ばんぶつせいどう (banbutsuseidou)) maps to "equality of all things" (Syllabus Level: C2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "equality" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "均等"
ケーキを6つに均等に分けた。
I divided the cake into six equal parts.
Bilingual Context for "万物斉同"
私は万物斉同に興味があります。
I am interested in equality of all things.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "ケーキを6つに ＿＿＿ に分けた。" (Meaning: "I divided the cake into six equal parts.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "均等" fits here because it means "equality, uniformity, evenness" in the context of: "I divided the cake into six equal parts.". "万物斉同" represents "equality of all things".