量 (liáng) — to measure; to estimate
Definition
量 (liàng) is the basic verb 'to measure' — taking a physical reading like size or temperature. Compared to 估计 ('to estimate/guess'), 量 requires an actual measurement rather than a rough judgment.
verb
to measureto estimate
Examples
- 量。Nǐ liáng yí xià zhè zhāng zhuō zi de chǐ cùn.Measure the dimensions of this table.
- 量。Yī shēng gěi wǒ liáng le tǐ wēn.The doctor took my temperature.
- 量。Tā liáng le yí xià wǒ de shēn gāo.He measured my height.
Origin
Compound ideograph六书liùshū
会意huìyìTwo 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.
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