平等

The Chinese word 平等 (píngděng) for "equality" is composed of two characters: 平 (píng) and 等 (děng). The character 平 originally meant "level" or "even", and was often used in the context of land or terrain. Over time, it came to be used more broadly to mean "equal" or "fair". The character 等 originally meant "to wait" or "to be in line", and was often used in the context of people waiting for their turn. Over time, it came to be used more broadly to mean "equal" or "the same".The combination of these two characters creates the word 平等, which literally means "level waiting" or "equal waiting". This reflects the idea that in a truly equal society, everyone is treated the same and has the same opportunities, regardless of their background or status. The word 平等 is often used in the context of social justice and human rights, and is a fundamental principle of many modern societies.