(へいこう)

へいこう
noun / na-adjective
parallel
1. parallel
Lines or surfaces that maintain equal distance and never intersect.
この(ふた)つの(せん)平行(へいこう)だ。
These two lines are parallel.
線路(せんろ)平行(へいこう)(はし)っている。
The railroad tracks run parallel to each other.
2. simultaneous; concurrent
Doing multiple things at the same time.
仕事(しごと)勉強(べんきょう)平行(へいこう)して(すす)める。
To pursue work and studies simultaneously.

平行(へいこう) has both geometric and figurative meanings.

GEOMETRIC SENSE:

  • Lines that never meet regardless of how far they extend
  • 平行線(へいこうせん): parallel lines

FIGURATIVE SENSE:

  • Doing things at the same time
  • 平行(へいこう)して: simultaneously

RELATED TERMS:

  • 垂直(すいちょく): perpendicular, vertical
  • 平行四辺形(へいこうしへんけい): parallelogram