衡 — “Equilibrium / Measuring Rod / Scale” in Japanese

Master (高手)こう

Radical ⾏ · radical 144 The building block this kanji is filed under

“Equilibrium / Measuring Rod / Scale” in Japanese is 衡, read kou (こう). It is a Jōyō kanji taught in Japanese secondary school (junior & senior high) — the 高手 · Master tier beyond the grade 1–6 Kyōiku set, and appears in words such as 均衡 (equilibrium).

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What does 衡 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	衡
Meaning	Equilibrium / Measuring Rod / Scale
Readings	こう
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	均衡 (equilibrium)

How to read 衡

衡 is read kou (こう) depending on the word.

Words with 衡

均衡

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Kanji read the same way as 衡

Same sound, different character — the classic trap. Compare them side by side:

Updated: 2026-08-28