平等(びょうどう)

平等(びょうどう) means equality in status, rights, or treatment. Functions as both a noun and a na-adjective.

As na-adjective

• 平等(びょうどう)な社会(しゃかい): an equal society
• 平等(びょうどう)な権利(けんり): equal rights
• 平等(びょうどう)に扱(あつか)う: to treat equally

Compounds

• 男女(だんじょ)平等(びょうどう): gender equality
• 機会(きかい)平等(びょうどう): equal opportunity
• 不平等(ふびょうどう): inequality (antonym)

Similar words

• 平等(びょうどう): equality (everyone gets the same treatment)
• 公平(こうへい): fairness (everyone is treated appropriately, not necessarily identically)
• 対等(たいとう): equal footing (between specific parties, especially in status or power)

Usage

平等(びょうどう) is commonly used in social and political discussions. The Buddhist concept of 平等(びょうどう) (all beings are equal) is the historical origin of this word in Japanese.