Balance (en. Balance)

/balɑ̃s/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench
noun
State of a thing that is in balance.
The balance of forces at play has been restored.
La balance des forces en jeu a été rétablie.
Instrument for measuring weights.
She used a scale to weigh the ingredients.
Elle a utilisé une balance pour peser les ingrédients.
Balance between opposing elements.
He found a good balance between his professional and personal life.
Il a trouvé un bon équilibre entre sa vie professionnelle et personnelle.
verb
To balance, to adjust.
The budget needs to be balanced to avoid a deficit.
Il faut balance le budget pour éviter le déficit.
To weigh something on a balance.
She weighed the tomatoes to know their weight.
Elle a balancé les tomates pour connaître leur poids.

Etymology

From the Latin 'bilancia', derived from 'bilan'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

to weigh
Assess the pros and cons before deciding.
mettre en balance
to be in balance
To be in a situation of uncertainty.
être en balance
to find a balance
Achieve a state of stability between different forces or elements.
trouver un équilibre
balance of payments
Set of economic transactions of a country with the rest of the world.
balance des paiements
balance of forces
Balance of the forces present in a situation.
balance des forces

Related Words

to balance
Adjusting two things to make them equal.
équilibrer
stability
State of something that does not change or is constant.
stabilité
parity
Equality between two things, often referring to economic values.
parité

Slang Meanings

Financial balance
He managed to keep a good balance with his spending.
Il a réussi à garder un bon balance avec ses dépenses.
Balance of accounts
Before leaving, make sure the balance is correct.
Avant de partir, assure-toi que la balance est bonne.