量

liáng, liàng

旦 + 里

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

liáng (verb) to measure; to weigh; to estimate

liàng (noun) quantity; amount; volume

liàng (noun) capacity

Etymology

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

Semantic: 里 Phonetic: 旦

About

量 is a phonosemantic compound: 東, originally a pictograph of a bag, conveys the meaning of measuring (bags were used to hold and assess quantities), while 昜 (yáng) supplies the sound. Over time, the character's form simplified to 曰 above 里. Pronounced with a rising tone (liáng), it means to measure or estimate weight, volume, or length; with a falling tone (liàng), it functions as a noun denoting capacity, quantity, or a set amount, and appears widely in scientific, economic, and everyday contexts to express magnitude.

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

这个苹果的数量很多。

Zhège píngguǒ de shùliàng hěn duō.

The quantity of these apples is very large.

他很有力量。

Tā hěn yǒu lìliàng.

He has a lot of strength.

我们需要测量温度。

Wǒmen xūyào cèliáng wēndù.

We need to measure the temperature.

这个杯子的容量很大。

Zhège bēizi de róngliàng hěn dà.

This cup's capacity is very large.

食物的质量很重要。

Shíwù de zhìliàng hěn zhòngyào.

The quality of food is very important.

他尽量每天运动。

Tā jǐnliàng měitiān yùndòng.

He exercises as much as possible every day.

他们商量了旅行计划。

Tāmen shāngliangle lǚxíng jìhuà.

They discussed the travel plan.

我们必须考量所有因素。

Wǒmen bìxū kǎoliáng suǒyǒu yīnsù.

We must consider all factors.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 旦

Component: 里

Example Words