ausgeglichen

Ausgeglichen is a German adjective meaning balanced, even, or calm. It is used for things that have been levelled or stabilised, as well as for people who maintain a composed and steady temperament. The term often implies that an initial imbalance has been corrected or that parts are in proper proportion; it can describe moods, finances, measurements, or systems.

Origin and usage: The word is formed from aus- (out, away) and gleichen (to equalize, to balance). As a past participle of ausgleichen, ausgeglichen serves as a predicative or attributive adjective: “Der Haushalt ist ausgeglichen,” “eine ausgeglichene Persönlichkeit.” It is common in formal and neutral writing, including journalism and academic prose.

Contexts: In finance and accounting, “ausgeglichen” denotes a balanced budget or ledger, often phrased as “ausgeglichene Bilanz” or “ausgeglichedes Konto.” In science, a chemical equation is “ausgeglichen” when the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides. In everyday language, it can describe a calm mood or an evenly matched situation, such as “ein ausgeglichenes Team” or “eine ausgeglichene Stimmung.”

Related terms: Similar, but not always interchangeable, are ausgewogen (well balanced) and ausbalanciert (balanced in a more technical sense). While ausgeglichen emphasises balance or temper, synonyms may carry nuanced shades of meaning. In English, it is typically translated as “balanced” or “even-tempered.”