トン

• Reading: トン
• Romaji: ton
• Pronunciation: /toɴ/

Meaning

Ton; a unit of weight equal to 1,000 kilograms.

A loanword noun from English 'ton,' used as a metric unit of weight (1,000 kg). In Japan, the metric ton is standard. Written in katakana as トン rather than the rare kanji 屯. Used in industry, shipping, agriculture, and news reports about production or quantities.

Examples

1. このトラックは最大5トンまで荷物を運べる。 This truck can carry up to 5 tons of cargo.
2. 日本では毎年何百万トンもの食品が廃棄される。 Millions of tons of food are thrown away in Japan every year.
3. 1トンの鉄と1トンの綿はどちらも同じ重さだ。 One ton of iron and one ton of cotton weigh exactly the same.

Usage Guide

Context: measurement, industry, shipping

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Borrowed from English 'ton,' which derives from Old English tunne (a large cask). The kanji 屯 exists but is rarely used in modern Japanese; katakana トン is standard.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal