In 15 Seconds
- Actively finding a middle ground between two competing things.
- Commonly used for work-life balance or cooking flavors.
- Implies making a conscious effort to achieve harmony.
Meaning
Finding a healthy middle ground between two things so that neither side is too heavy or neglected. It is like keeping a seesaw level in your life, work, or even the flavors of a meal.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about a busy week
最近、仕事とプライベートのバランスを取るのが難しいです。
Lately, it's been hard to maintain a balance between work and my private life.
Discussing a recipe
このスープは、塩味と甘みのバランスを取るのがポイントだよ。
The key to this soup is balancing the salty and sweet flavors.
In a business meeting
コストと品質のバランスを取る必要があります。
We need to strike a balance between cost and quality.
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects the Japanese value of 'Wa' (harmony). It is deeply rooted in the idea that extremes should be avoided to maintain social and personal stability. In modern Japan, it is most frequently used in the context of 'Work-Life Balance,' a major social topic as the country moves away from traditional overwork culture.
The 'Result' Secret
If you want to say someone is well-rounded or a situation is perfect, use the passive form `バランスが取れている` (the balance is taken) rather than the active `取る`.
Don't confuse with 'Equilibrium'
In scientific contexts like chemistry or physics, Japanese often uses `平衡` (heikou) instead of `バランス`.
In 15 Seconds
- Actively finding a middle ground between two competing things.
- Commonly used for work-life balance or cooking flavors.
- Implies making a conscious effort to achieve harmony.
What It Means
Think of バランスを取る as the art of juggling. It is not just about standing still on one leg. It is the active effort to keep different parts of your life steady. You are making sure one thing does not crush the other. It is like being a chef who adds sugar to a sauce that is too salty. You are finding that perfect sweet spot. It is a very common phrase because life is always a bit wobbly.
How To Use It
You will usually see this phrase with the particle と. You say AとBのバランスを取る. This means you are balancing A and B. For example, 仕事と休みのバランスを取る means balancing work and rest. You can use it for physical things, like yoga. You can also use it for abstract things, like your budget. It is a very flexible tool for your Japanese toolkit. It sounds natural in almost any conversation about your lifestyle.
When To Use It
Use it when you are talking about your busy schedule. It is perfect for meetings when discussing project priorities. You can use it at a restaurant when talking about the menu. It is great for texting a friend about your new workout routine. If you are trying to save money but still want to have fun, this is the phrase. It shows you are being thoughtful and intentional about your choices. It makes you sound like a very grounded person.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if something is already balanced on its own. If a scale is level, you say バランスがいい. You only use バランスを取る when you are the one doing the work. Also, do not use it for 'fairness' in a court of law. That is a different kind of balance. Do not use it if you are just trying to be 'neutral' in an argument. That is usually 中立 (chuuritsu). This phrase is about harmony, not just staying in the middle.
Cultural Background
In Japan, the concept of 和 (wa) or harmony is huge. People try very hard not to be too extreme. Being 'too much' of anything can be seen as a bit selfish. Finding balance is seen as a sign of a mature adult. It shows you care about the environment around you. It is not just about your own success. It is about how your success fits with your health and family. It is a very Zen way of looking at a busy modern life.
Common Variations
You might hear バランスを保つ (tamotsu). That means 'maintaining' a balance you already have. If you lose your balance, you say バランスを崩す (kuzusu). This is what happens when you work too much and get a cold. If you see something that is perfectly designed, you say バランスが取れている. This is the 'result' state. It means the balance has been successfully achieved. It is a high compliment for a design or a person's lifestyle.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for all situations. Just remember that `取る` is an active verb, so it implies you are the one making the effort to create the balance.
The 'Result' Secret
If you want to say someone is well-rounded or a situation is perfect, use the passive form `バランスが取れている` (the balance is taken) rather than the active `取る`.
Don't confuse with 'Equilibrium'
In scientific contexts like chemistry or physics, Japanese often uses `平衡` (heikou) instead of `バランス`.
The Katakana Factor
Using the Katakana `バランス` (balance) sounds modern and lifestyle-oriented. The kanji version `均衡` (kinkou) sounds like a government report on the economy!
Examples
6最近、仕事とプライベートのバランスを取るのが難しいです。
Lately, it's been hard to maintain a balance between work and my private life.
A very common way to express stress or lifestyle goals.
このスープは、塩味と甘みのバランスを取るのがポイントだよ。
The key to this soup is balancing the salty and sweet flavors.
Used here for culinary harmony.
コストと品質のバランスを取る必要があります。
We need to strike a balance between cost and quality.
Professional context focusing on trade-offs.
貯金と買い物のバランスを取るために、今日はこれだけにしよう！
To keep a balance between savings and shopping, let's stop with just this today!
Used to justify a decision to stop spending.
片足で立ってバランスを取るのが、意外と大変なんだよね。
Maintaining your balance while standing on one leg is surprisingly hard, isn't it?
Physical balance context.
夢と現実のバランスを取るのに、ずっと悩んでいます。
I've been struggling for a long time to balance my dreams and reality.
Deeply personal and emotional use.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct particle to connect the two things being balanced.
勉強___遊びのバランスを取るのが上手ですね。
The particle `と` (and) is used to link the two items you are balancing.
Complete the sentence to say 'I want to maintain balance'.
健康のために、食事のバランスを___たいです。
The verb `取る` (to take/get) is the standard collocation for 'maintaining balance'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'バランスを取る'
Chatting with friends about your diet.
バランス取らなきゃ！
Standard daily conversation or social media.
バランスを取るのが大事です。
Business presentations or academic writing.
両者のバランスを取ることが肝要です。
When to use 'バランスを取る'
Cooking
Balancing spices and salt.
Work
Work-life balance discussions.
Fitness
Yoga or sports stability.
Finance
Spending vs. Saving.
Practice Bank
2 exercises勉強___遊びのバランスを取るのが上手ですね。
The particle `と` (and) is used to link the two items you are balancing.
健康のために、食事のバランスを___たいです。
The verb `取る` (to take/get) is the standard collocation for 'maintaining balance'.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
11 questionsNo, it is actually used more often for abstract things like time, money, and emotions than for physical standing.
Yes! If you are surfing or skiing, you use バランスを取る to describe staying upright on the board.
取る is the act of finding or achieving balance, while 保つ (tamotsu) is the act of keeping it once it's already there.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable, though in very high-level formal writing, you might see 均衡を保つ (kinkou o tamotsu).
You can say バランスが悪い (bad balance) or バランスが崩れている (balance is broken).
Yes, you can use it to describe balancing your own needs with your partner's needs: 自分と相手のバランスを取る.
While it is a loanword, it is so deeply integrated into Japanese that it sounds completely natural and not like 'translation-ese'.
Yes, 栄養のバランスを取る (taking a balance of nutrition) is a very common phrase for eating a healthy variety of foods.
Not really, but young people might just say バランス大事 (balance is important) as a shorthand.
Always use を (o) after バランス because it is the direct object of the verb 取る.
Definitely. Designers often talk about 色のバランスを取る to make sure a layout doesn't look too busy.
Related Phrases
両立させる (ryouritsu saseru) - to make two things compatible
調和 (chouwa) - harmony
釣り合い (tsuriai) - equilibrium / balance
ほどほどにする (hodohodo ni suru) - to do things in moderation
