总量

• Pinyin: zǒng liàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 总 = general/total; 量 = 日 (sun) + 一 + 里, originally a measuring vessel

Meaning

Total amount; total quantity; aggregate; overall volume.

The sum or aggregate of something, often used in economic, scientific, or statistical contexts. Common in discussions of GDP, emissions, production capacity, and other measurable quantities.

Examples

1. 中国的经济总量已经跃居世界第二，仅次于美国。 China's total economic output has leaped to second in the world, behind only the United States.
2. 为了控制碳排放总量，政府对高污染企业实施了严格的限制。 To control total carbon emissions, the government has imposed strict restrictions on high-polluting enterprises.
3. 虽然人均收入不高，但由于人口基数大，消费总量仍然十分可观。 Although per capita income is not high, the large population base means total consumption is still quite substantial.

Usage Guide

Context: economics, statistics, policy

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 今年的产量总量达到了新高。(This year's total output reached a new high.)
• 我们要控制成本总量。(We need to control total costs.)

Don't Say

• 我吃饭的总量很大。(Awkward — just say 我吃得很多 for personal eating)

Origin & History

Compound of 总 (total, overall) and 量 (quantity, amount). A straightforward combination meaning total quantity.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal