How to say "average" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 中ちゅうnounTreats 'average' as the middle of a scale: grades, levels or sizes that are neither high nor low. Typical when rating results or ability as middling rather than computing a mean.
- 平均へいきんnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe default word for an average in the numerical sense: the mean of a set of figures. Use it for statistics, scores and other numbers, as in 'on average'.
- 並なみno-adjectiveCovers 'average' in the sense of ordinary and unremarkable — on a level with what is usual, neither good nor bad. Typical when describing ability, results or quality as nothing special.これは並の能力ではない。↗This isn't any ordinary ability.
- nounThe katakana borrowing of 'average', heard mainly in sports and statistics talk, as in a player's season average. For the general or mathematical sense, 平均 is the word to reach for.
- 中等ちゅうとうno-adjectiveReally a term for the middle rank or stage — secondary schooling, the middle class — not a way to call something average. For average grades or quality it is seldom the word you want.
Use 平均 for a calculated mean; 中 and 並 for middling grades or quality, 並 stressing ordinariness; 「アベレージ」 as the English loanword in sports and statistics; 中等 chiefly for a middle rank or secondary level, not for averages.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 中ちゅうmedium (size)
- 平均へいきんaverage
- 並なみaverage
- アベレージaverage
- 中等ちゅうとうsecond grade
- 普通ふつうnormal
- 平均的へいきんてきaverage
- 中位ちゅういmedium
- 並大抵なみたいていordinary
- 人並みひとなみordinary
- 世間並みせけんなみordinary (esp. life or behavior)
- 均しならしaverage
- 十人並みじゅうにんなみaverage (ability, looks, etc.)
- 中くらいちゅうくらい(about) medium
- 中数ちゅうすうmean
- △さんかくnot entirely wrong but not entirely right
- 中程度ちゅうていど(about) medium
- 一般いっぱんordinary
- 標準ひょうじゅんaverage
- 一通りひととおりordinary
- 標準的ひょうじゅんてきaverage
- ならすto average
- 中なかmean
- 間あいだmidpoint
See also
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