Meaning and Usage
The adjective "等しい" (ひとしい) means "equal" or "equivalent." It is used to express that two or more things have the same value, status, or degree. This word is often used in formal or written contexts, such as mathematics, comparisons, or logical statements.
Common Collocations
- 等しい値 (ひとしいあたい): equal value, often used in math or data.
- 等しい権利 (ひとしいけんり): equal rights, used in social or legal contexts.
- 等しい条件 (ひとしいじょうけん): equal conditions, used when comparing situations.
Usage Notes
When using "等しい," the speaker implies a precise equivalence rather than a vague similarity. It is more formal than words like "同じ" (おなじ), which also means "same." Learners should avoid confusing "等しい" with "同じ"; "等しい" is often used in technical or abstract contexts, while "同じ" is more common in everyday conversation.
Example Patterns
- AはBと等しい: A is equal to B.
- 努力が結果と等しいとは限らない: Effort is not necessarily equal to the result.
Using "等しい" correctly helps convey exact equality, which is important in academic, scientific, or legal discussions.