(きんいつ)

きんいつ
noun, na-adjective
uniform, equal, flat-rate
1. uniform, even, equal, homogeneous
Having the same quality, quantity, or condition throughout. No variation or unevenness.
品質(ひんしつ)均一(きんいつ)(たも)つ。
To maintain uniform quality.
温度(おんど)均一(きんいつ)になるようによくかき()ぜる。
Stir well so that the temperature becomes uniform.
生地(きじ)(あつ)さを均一(きんいつ)にするのが(むずか)しい。
It's hard to make the dough thickness uniform.
2. flat-rate, fixed price
A single fixed price for all items or services. Commonly seen in shops where everything costs the same amount.
百円(ひゃくえん)均一(きんいつ)(みせ)()った。
I bought it at a 100-yen flat-rate shop.
バスの運賃(うんちん)均一(きんいつ)料金(りょうきん)だ。
The bus fare is a flat rate.
千円(せんえん)均一(きんいつ)セールを開催(かいさい)している。
They are holding a 1,000-yen flat-rate sale.

USAGE:
Sense 2 is particularly common in daily life. 百円(ひゃくえん)均一(きんいつ) (100-yen shops) are ubiquitous in Japan — the word is often shortened to 百均(ひゃっきん) in casual speech. Many city buses also charge 均一(きんいつ)料金(りょうきん) (flat-rate fares).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 百円(ひゃくえん)均一(きんいつ): 100-yen flat rate (100-yen shop)
  • 均一(きんいつ)料金(りょうきん): flat-rate charge
  • 均一(きんいつ)(たも)つ: to keep uniform
  • 品質(ひんしつ)均一(きんいつ): uniform quality