Today’s Idiom
Word Breakdown
一 (yì) num. one
碗 (wǎn) n./measure word bowl
水 (shuǐ) n. water
端 (duān) v. hold with hand
平 (píng) adj. flat, level
Quick Answer
Definition & Usage
The idiom “一碗水端平” literally means to hold a bowl of water level, actually, it means to treat people equally without discrimination, be fair and just in handling matters. It is the opposite of the meaning of “偏心”.
Example Sentences
在公司管理中，没有真正的一碗水端平，领导者总是难免对某些下属特别偏爱。
Zài gōngsī guǎnlǐ zhōng, méiyǒu zhēnzhèng de yī wǎn shuǐ duān píng, lǐngdǎo zhě zǒng shì nánmiǎn duì mǒu xiē xiàshǔ tèbié piān’ài.
In company management, there is no real evenhandedness, and it is always inevitable that leaders will have a special preference for certain subordinates.
有几家广播公司因在竞选期间未能对所有政党一碗水端平而受到批评。
Yǒu jǐ jiā guǎngbò gōngsī yīn zài jìngxuǎn qíjiān wèi néng duì suǒyǒu zhèngdǎng yī wǎn shuǐ duān píng ér shòudào pīpíng.
Several broadcasters have been criticized for failing to give even-handed treatment to all the parties during the election campaign.
他对待员工绝对是一碗水端平。
Tā duìdài yuángōng juéduì shì yī wǎn shuǐ duān píng.
He was very even-handed in the way he treated his employees.