均衡(きんこう)

Composed of 均(きん) (equal) + 衡(こう) (balance/scales). A formal/academic term, more technical than the loanword バランス.

COMMON PATTERNS:

• 均衡(きんこう)を保(たも)つ: to maintain balance
• 均衡(きんこう)が崩(くず)れる: balance breaks down
• 均衡(きんこう)を取(と)る: to achieve balance
• 均衡(きんこう)を失(うしな)う: to lose balance

FIELDS OF USE:

• Economics: 需給(じゅきゅう)均衡(きんこう) (supply-demand equilibrium)
• Politics: 勢力(せいりょく)均衡(きんこう) (balance of power)
• Science: 化学(かがく)平衡(へいこう) (chemical equilibrium — uses 平衡(へいこう))
• Military: 軍事(ぐんじ)均衡(きんこう) (military balance)

CONTRAST:

• 均衡(きんこう): balance (formal, abstract, used in written/academic contexts)
• バランス: balance (everyday, also used for physical balance)
• 平衡(へいこう): equilibrium (scientific/technical, even more formal)