超量 (chāo liáng) — to exceed the specified or normal amount (especially of dosage, quantity, or limit)

Definition

超量 (chāo liáng) is a formal/written verb meaning 'to exceed a set limit', used in contexts like dosage, calories, or venue capacity. It describes going over a defined cap, not just a large amount in general.

verb
to exceed the specified or normal amount (especially of dosage, quantity, or limit)

Examples

  • 超量。
    Yào liàng yǐ jīng chāo liáng le.
    The dosage has exceeded the limit.
  • 超量。
    Zhè ge tào cān de rè liàng yǐ jīng chāo liáng le.
    This set meal's calories have exceeded the limit.
  • 超量,。
    Huì chǎng rén shù yǐ jīng chāo liáng, bù néng zài jìn le.
    The venue headcount has exceeded the limit; no more entries.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

超chāoexceed
量liángamount

超 means exceed, and 量 is amount, together describing going beyond a normal quantity.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
走走zǒurun
Sound part声符shēngfú
召
召zhào超chāo
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

超 pairs 走, meaning “run,” with 召, which gives the sound.

Open 超 →

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 →

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