公平
gōngpíng · HSK 2
fair
⚖️ 公 = public + 平 = level/even → publicly level, i.e. fair
公 means public or common; 平 means flat, level, or even. Together: treatment that is level for everyone in public — fair and impartial. 平 also shows up in 和平 (peace) and 平等 (equal).
公 — eight 八 + private 厶
Originally an ideograph showing 八 (to divide) over 厶 (private/self), depicting the act of splitting away from selfish interest. The combination came to mean 'public' or 'fair,' the opposite of private. It later extended to senses like 'duke,' 'lord,' and 'grandfather.'
平 — horizontal stroke 一 + 干 with two dots 八
平 originally depicted a balance or scale being level, suggesting evenness. The horizontal lines and symmetrical dots evoke a flat, balanced surface. Over time it extended from 'level/flat' to broader senses like 'calm,' 'peaceful,' and 'ordinary.'