Definition
量 (liàng) is a noun meaning 'quantity, amount, capacity' — it's the general word for how much of something there is. Its sibling 数量 (shù liàng) is more specific, referring to a countable number or sum; 容量 (róng liàng) is 'capacity' in the sense of how much a container holds; and 音量 (yīn liàng) is 'volume' of sound. The verb 量 (liáng, HSK4) is a different word with a different tone and meaning.
noun
quantityamountcapacityvolume
Easily confused
- 埋máilook-aliketo bury
- 两liǎngsound-aliketwo (used before measure words or nouns that indicate quantity)
- 两liǎngsound-alike(numeral) two (used before measure words and units of time)
- 辆liàngsound-alike(classifier) used for vehicles
- 亮liàngsound-alikebright; light (in color or illumination)
- 凉liángsound-alikecool, cold
- 良liángsound-alike(adv, literary) very; used in set phrases before certain adjectives (多, 久, 苦, etc.)
- 晾liàngsound-aliketo dry (clothes, etc.) in the air
Examples
- 。Zhège fángjiān de róngliàng hěn dà.The capacity of this room is very large.
- 量。Qǐng gàosu wǒ zhǔnquè de liàng.Please tell me the exact amount.
- 。Zhè zhǒng cáiliào de zhòngliàng hěn qīng.The weight of this material is very light.
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