Definitions

liáng (verb) to measure; to weigh; to estimate
liàng (noun) quantity; amount; volume
liàng (noun) capacity

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. (pictograph of a bag) represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 量, which is identical in both traditional and simplified orthographies, is composed of the components 日 (sun) above 里 (village, a unit of distance). Its structure originally suggested the concept of measuring the extent of daylight or land, and its earliest meanings were specifically related to the measurement of volume or capacity. Over time, the semantic range of 量 broadened significantly from this concrete basis to encompass the act of measuring in general, and further expanded to denote the measurable result itself, such as quantity or amount. This development also led to a common verbal reading with the meaning "to measure" or "to estimate", while the nominal reading refers to that which is measured.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个苹果的数很多。

Zhège píngguǒ de shùliàng hěn duō.

The quantity of these apples is very large.

他很有力

Tā hěn yǒu lìliàng.

He has a lot of strength.

我们需要测温度。

Wǒmen xūyào cèliáng wēndù.

We need to measure the temperature.

这个杯子的容很大。

Zhège bēizi de róngliàng hěn dà.

This cup's capacity is very large.

食物的质很重要。

Shíwù de zhìliàng hěn zhòngyào.

The quality of food is very important.

他尽每天运动。

Tā jǐnliàng měitiān yùndòng.

He exercises as much as possible every day.

他们商了旅行计划。

Tāmen shāngliangle lǚxíng jìhuà.

They discussed the travel plan.

我们必须考所有因素。

Wǒmen bìxū kǎoliáng suǒyǒu yīnsù.

We must consider all factors.