Translation and Meaning of: 量 - ryou

The Japanese word for "quantity" or "volume" is expressed through the characters 「量」 and read as "りょう" (ryou). This kanji is composed of two main elements: the upper part 「旦」 and the lower part 「里」. The upper radical symbolizes "brightness" or "the birth of the day," while the lower refers to "village" or "unit of measure." These compositions suggest an idea of measurement or quantification, which perfectly aligns with the meaning of the word.

In Japanese, 「量」 is a word widely used in contexts involving the measurement of physical quantities, counting items, or assessing abundance. It can refer to amounts in concrete terms, such as masses, volumes, and numbers, but can also be used in more abstract contexts, such as the amount of information or the level of effort. This versatility means that the word frequently appears in mathematics, physics, economics, and even in culinary arts, where measuring quantities is essential.

The origin of 「量」 dates back to ancient times in China, where the measurement and accurate recording of resources were vital for the administration of communities and states. Over time, the graphic symbol evolved, but it retained its fundamental purpose of representing the idea of quantity. Throughout Japanese history, the adoption of kanji in everyday language and culture has contributed to the richness of the language, providing an effective tool to describe and interact with the world in a quantitative manner.

In addition to its isolated use, 「量」 is also part of many other compound words that expand its meaning. For example:

• 「重量」(juuryou) - weight
• 「容量」(youryou) - capacity
• "「分量」(bunryou) - portion"
• "测量" (sokuryou) - surveying, measurement

These combinations illustrate how 「量」 is a flexible and important base of the Japanese vocabulary, emphasizing the importance of precise measurement and quantification in various aspects of everyday and professional life. Thus, understanding and using 「量」 effectively can significantly enrich communication and comprehension in Japanese.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 分量 (bunryou) - Quantity; measure or portion of something.
• 数量 (suu-ryou) - Quantity; number of units of something.
• 大きさ (ookisa) - Size; physical dimension of an object.
• 大量 (tairyuu) - Large quantity; refers to a significant volume of something.
• 容積 (youseki) - Volume; a measure of three-dimensional space occupied.

量

Romaji: ryou
Kana: りょう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: amount; value; volume; portion (of food)

Meaning in English: quantity;amount;volume;portion (of food)

Definition: Show the quantity and size of something.

Example Sentences - (量) ryou

See below some example sentences:

降水量が多い日は傘を持って出かけましょう。

Kousuiryou ga ooi hi wa kasa wo motte dekakemashou

Go out with an umbrella on days when there is a lot of rainfall.

• 降水量 - amount of rain
• が - subject particle
• 多い - very
• 日 - day
• は - Topic particle
• 傘 - umbrella
• を - object particle
• 持って - load
• 出かけましょう - let's go out

測量を行う必要があります。

Sokuryō o okonau hitsuyō ga arimasu

It is necessary to carry out the measurement.

You need to carry out the survey.

• 測量 - measurement
• を - object particle
• 行う - accomplish
• 必要 - Necessary
• が - Subject particle
• あります - Exists

この秤は正確に計量できます。

Kono hakari wa seikaku ni keiryou dekimasu

This scale can measure accurately.

This scale can be measured accurately.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 秤 - noun "scale"
• は - Topic particle
• 正確に - adverb "precisely"
• 計量 - noun "measurement"
• できます - the verb "can be done" (polite form)

この荷物の重量はどのくらいですか？

Kono nimotsu no jūryō wa dono kurai desu ka?

What is the weight of this luggage?

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 荷物 - noun "luggage"
• の - possessive particle "of"
• 重量 - noun "weight"
• は - topic particle "about"
• どのくらい - adverb "quanto"
• ですか - verb "to be" in the polite way of asking

体重を量る。

taijuu wo hakaru

Measure body weight.

Weigh weight.

• 体重 - "body weight" in Japanese.
• を - a grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the action.
• 量る - a verb that means "to measure" or "to weigh" in Japanese.

微量の栄養素が体に必要です。

Biryou no eiyousu ga karada ni hitsuyou desu

A small amount of nutrients is required for the body.

• 微量 - It means "small amount" in Japanese.
• の - possession particle in Japanese.
• 栄養素 - It means "nutrient" in Japanese.
• が - subject particle in Japanese.
• 体 - means "body" in Japanese.
• に - destination particle in Japanese.
• 必要 - means "necessary" in Japanese.
• です - verb to be in Japanese.

膨大な量の仕事があります。

Boudai na ryō no shigoto ga arimasu

There is an enormous amount of work.

• 膨大な - It means "enormous" or "vast".
• 量 - It means "quantity."
• の - it is a particle that indicates possession or attribution.
• 仕事 - It means "work" or "task".
• が - It is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• あります - It is the verb "to have" or "to exist" in a polite form.