The difference between 公平 and 平等

The adjective 平等

is used when talking about human rights and equality.

Examples

法律面前人人平等

Everyone is equal before the law

fǎlǜ miànqián rénrén píngděng

他们要求平等的权利和公正的待遇

They demand equal rights and fair treatment

tāmen yāoqiú píngděng de quánlì hé gōngzhèng de dàiyù

我们尽可能平等对待每一位工作人员

We treat all employees equally

wǒmen jǐn kěnéng píngděng duìdài měi yí wèi gōngzuò rényuán

The adjective 公平

is used when talking about doing something honestly or according to the rules.

Examples

我们应该公平竞争

We should play fair

wǒmen yīnggāi gōngpíng jìngzhēng

人生有时似乎非常不公平

Sometimes life seems very unfair

rénshēng yǒushí sìhū fēicháng bù gōngpíng

成功的秘诀是诚实和公平交易

The secret of success is honesty and ethical business practices

chénggōng de mìjué shì chéngshí hé gōngpíng jiāoyì