キロ

• Reading: きろ
• Romaji: kiro
• Pronunciation: /ki.ɾo/

Meaning

Kilo; prefix meaning one thousand. Used as shorthand for kilogram or kilometre in everyday speech.

A loanword from French 'kilo' used as a prefix and standalone abbreviation. On its own, キロ usually means either kilogram (weight) or kilometre (distance), with context determining which. For clarity, キログラム and キロメートル can be used. Common in daily life: 体重は何キロ (how many kilos do you weigh?), 駅まで二キロ (two kilometres to the station).

Examples

1. 駅まで三キロあります。 It's three kilometers to the station.
2. 最近二キロ太りました。 I've gained two kilos recently.
3. このりんごは一キロで五百円です。 These apples are five hundred yen per kilo.

Usage Guide

Context: measurement, health, travel

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Borrowed from French 'kilo,' itself from Greek khilioi meaning 'thousand.' Entered Japanese during the Meiji era as part of the adoption of the metric system.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal