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微量 (wēi liáng) — a very small amount, trace; (used in compounds) micro-

Definition

微量 names a 'trace / very small amount' of something, typically used to modify a noun (微量元素) rather than stand alone. Pairs naturally with scientific/chemical terms for tiny quantities.

noun
a very small amounttrace(used in compounds) micro-

Examples

  • 微量。
    Zhè zhǒng yuán sù zài rén tǐ zhōng de hán liàng zhǐ yǒu wēi liáng.
    The content of this element in the human body is only a trace.
  • 微量。
    Huà yàn jié guǒ xiǎn shì yàng pǐn zhōng hán yǒu wēi liáng de dú sù.
    The test results show that the sample contains trace amounts of toxin.
  • 微量。
    Tā měi tiān zhī chī wēi liáng de shí wù jiù néng cún huó.
    He can survive on only a tiny amount of food every day.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

微wēismall
量liángamount

微 (small) describes 量 (amount), yielding a trace amount.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The old form showed 𡵂 (a variant of 美, a person with long hair) and 攵 (a hand with a tool) splitting or combing hairs, hence minute; 微 later added 彳 to emphasize action.

Open 微 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 日日rìsun
  • 東東dōngbag; east

量 has 日 (sun) over 東 (bag; east). Some explanations suggest measuring under the sun or the sun rising in the east, but the exact origin is unclear.

Open 量 →
Appears in
Quantity & Amount

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