Meaning
The kanji 等 carries three distinct meanings in modern Japanese: equality or sameness (things at the same level or value), rank or class (groupings of things considered equivalent), and a grammatical function as a particle meaning et cetera or as a pluralizing suffix attached to pronouns and nouns.
Structurally, 等 is built from two components: the radical 竹 (bamboo) on top, and 寺 (temple) on the bottom. The bamboo radical connects to the image of bamboo tablets historically used for sorting and organizing texts — things arranged in order and of equal measure. The temple component (寺) contributes a phonetic element and a sense of orderly, systematic arrangement. With 12 strokes, this kanji is officially taught in Grade 3 of Japanese elementary school. Native speakers encounter it early, though its grammatical functions — especially as a particle and plural suffix — become more relevant at N2 and beyond.
When you see 等 in a text, ask which role it plays: equality, "etc.," or pluralization. That single question usually resolves the meaning at once.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi reading of 等 is トウ. It appears in Chinese-origin compounds (熟語, じゅくご) across formal, written, and technical contexts, covering concepts from social equality to quality grades.
- 平等 (byōdō) — equality, impartiality
- 等級 (tōkyū) — rank, grade, class
- 高等 (kōtō) — high grade, advanced (as in 高等学校, high school)
- 同等 (dōtō) — equivalence, being on the same level
- 上等 (jōtō) — superior quality, top grade
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi readings of 等 are ひと.しい, など, and ら. Each serves a different grammatical function.
ひとしい is the adjective form meaning "equal" or "identical." Written as 等しい, it describes two things that match in value, quantity, or nature.
- 等しい (hitoshii) — equal, identical, same
- 等しく (hitoshiku) — equally, uniformly (adverb form)
など is a particle meaning "et cetera," "and so on," or "such as." While など is frequently written in hiragana alone, the kanji 等 can also be used: 等. This usage appears in more formal or literary writing.
- 本や雑誌等 (hon ya zasshi nado) — books, magazines, etc.
ら is a pluralizing suffix attached to pronouns or nouns, indicating "and others," "group of," or simply making a word plural. Common examples include 彼ら (they, those guys) and 私ら (we, us — casual).
- 彼ら (karera) — they, them (male or mixed group)
- 子供ら (kodomo-ra) — the children, those kids
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 等 appears in many high-frequency compound words. Here is a selection organized by theme:
Equality & Comparison
- 平等 (byōdō) — equality, equal treatment
- 同等 (dōtō) — equivalence, on the same level
- 等価 (tōka) — equivalent value, equal worth
- 等しい (hitoshii) — equal, identical
- 等号 (tōgō) — equals sign (=)
Rank, Grade & Level
- 等級 (tōkyū) — grade, rank, class
- 高等 (kōtō) — advanced, high-grade (e.g., 高等学校)
- 上等 (jōtō) — top quality, superior
- 下等 (katō) — inferior, low-grade
- 一等 (ittō) — first class, first place, number one
Mathematics & Geometry
- 等分 (tōbun) — equal division, dividing equally
- 等辺 (tōhen) — equilateral (as in 正三角形の等辺)
- 等差 (tōsa) — arithmetic difference (等差数列 = arithmetic sequence)
Size & Proportion
- 等身大 (tōshindai) — life-size, full-scale
Example Sentences
彼らは全員等しく扱われるべきだ。
Karera wa zen'in hitoshiku atsukaware beki da.
They should all be treated equally.
試験で一等を取った。
Shiken de ittō wo totta.
I got first place on the exam.
机の上には本やペン等が散らかっていた。
Tsukue no ue ni wa hon ya pen nado ga chirakatte ita.
Books, pens, and so on were scattered on the desk.
この二つの辺の長さは等しい。
Kono futatsu no hen no nagasa wa hitoshii.
The lengths of these two sides are equal.
高等学校を卒業してから、大学に進んだ。
Kōtō gakkō wo sotsugyō shite kara, daigaku ni susunda.
After graduating from high school, I went on to university.
子供ら全員が元気に遊んでいた。
Kodomo-ra zen'in ga genki ni asonde ita.
All the children were playing energetically.
平等な社会を実現するのは難しい。
Byōdō na shakai wo jitsugen suru no wa muzukashii.
Realizing an equal society is difficult.
このケーキを三等分にしてください。
Kono kēki wo san-tōbun ni shite kudasai.
Please divide this cake into three equal parts.
彼の実力は私と同等だと思う。
Kare no jitsuryoku wa watashi to dōtō da to omou.
I think his ability is equivalent to mine.
等身大のポスターが壁に貼ってあった。
Tōshindai no posutā ga kabe ni hatte atta.
A life-size poster was put up on the wall.
Memory Tip
Picture a bamboo (竹) ruler — perfectly straight, perfectly uniform — being used inside a temple (寺) to measure offerings and make sure every worshipper receives an equal share. The monks line up the bamboo sticks in equal ranks, and when the head monk finishes sorting, he says: "books, rice, candles, etc. (など) — all accounted for, and you all (ら) get the same amount!"