平行 píngxíng parallel
parallel (in a spatial or geometric sense, or figuratively); on an equal footing; on the same level; simultaneous; concurrent
How to remember 平行: 平 level + 行 go = parallel.
Characters
How it is used
- Parallel - geometric lines, or two things running side by side without meeting - 两条平行线 (liǎng tiáo píngxíngxiàn) two parallel lines.
- Also 'concurrent/on equal footing': 平行进口 (píngxíng jìnkǒu) parallel imports; 平行世界 (píngxíng shìjiè) a parallel world.
- Note the reading xíng (as in 行走), not háng; contrast 并行 which stresses proceeding together at the same time.
Example sentences
- 铁路与公路平行。 Tiělù yǔ gōnglù píngxíng.The railroad is parallel to the road.
- 平行四边形的对边平行。 Píngxíngsìbiānxíng de duì biān píngxíng.The opposite sides of a parallelogram are parallel.