数量

• Pinyin: shù liàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 数 = 娄 (phonetic) + 攵 (strike), meaning to count; 量 = 日 (sun) + 一 + 里 (inside), originally a measuring tool

Meaning

Quantity; amount; number. Refers to the measurable count or volume of something.

Used in various contexts from everyday shopping to academic research. Often contrasted with 质量 (quality). Common in business, science, and data analysis contexts.

Examples

1. 这种商品的数量有限。 The quantity of this product is limited.
2. 请检查一下货物的数量。 Please check the quantity of the goods.
3. 我们需要增加产品的数量。 We need to increase the quantity of products.

Usage Guide

Context: business, academic, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 数量不够，我们再多买一些。(The quantity is not enough; let's buy some more.)
• 这次参加的人数量很多。(A large number of people participated this time.)

Don't Say

• 这个苹果的数量很甜。(Don't confuse 数量 with 质量 — 数量 is about 'how many', not 'how good'. Use 质量 for quality.)

Origin & History

数 (number/to count) + 量 (measure/amount). A compound of two characters both related to measurement.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal