重量

• Pinyin: zhòng liàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 重 = 千 (thousand) + 里 (unit of distance), heavy; 量 = 日 (sun) + 里 (inside), to measure

Meaning

Weight; heaviness. The measure of how heavy something is.

Used in everyday and technical contexts. 净重量 means net weight; 毛重量 means gross weight. 重量级 means heavyweight (in boxing or figuratively for important people). Contrast with 质量 (mass in physics — technically different from weight). In Chinese shopping and logistics, 重量 is the standard term for weight.

Examples

1. 这个行李箱的重量超过了航空公司的规定，需要支付额外费用。 This suitcase exceeds the airline's weight limit, so an extra fee will need to be paid.
2. 运动员在比赛前要严格控制自己的体重，保持在规定的重量范围内。 Athletes must strictly control their weight before a competition and stay within the regulated weight range.
3. 这台机器的重量超过了一吨，搬运起来非常困难。 This machine weighs more than a tonne, making it very difficult to move.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, logistics, sports

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请问这个包裹的重量是多少？(May I ask, what is the weight of this parcel?)
• 他每天举重训练，体重和肌肉重量都有明显变化。(He trains with weights every day, and both his body weight and muscle mass have changed noticeably.)

Don't Say

• 把'重量'用于描述抽象事物的'分量'或'重要性' (Don't use 重量 for the abstract 'weight' of an idea or its importance — use 分量 or 重要性 instead; 重量 is for physical weight)

Origin & History

From 重 (heavy, 千 thousand + 里 li — something weighing a thousand li; alternatively 重 is a pictograph of a heavy load) and 量 (to measure), together meaning 'the measured heaviness of something'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal