Definition
平起平坐 is a four-character idiom that literally means 'to rise together and sit together', but it's used figuratively to describe people who are equal in status, rank, or power — they treat each other as equals without hierarchy. You can use it for colleagues, nations, or any parties that hold the same standing in a given context.
f.e.
to be on an equal footingto be equals (in status)
Examples
- ，平起平坐。Zài gōngsī lǐ, tā hé zǒngjīnglǐ píng qǐ píng zuò.In the company, he and the general manager are on an equal footing.
- ，平起平坐。Zhè liǎng gè guójiā suīrán dàxiǎo bùtóng, dàn zài tánpàn zhōng què shì píng qǐ píng zuò.These two countries, though different in size, are on an equal footing in the negotiations.
- 平起平坐，。Tāmen liǎ zài xuéshùjiè píng qǐ píng zuò, shéi yě bù gǎn xiǎokàn shéi.The two of them are equals in academia; neither dares to look down on the other.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.