1.
net (weight/amount)
The actual weight or amount excluding packaging or other additions.
正味500グラムの小麦粉を使う。
Use 500 grams net of flour.
正味重量は箱の重さを除いた数字です。
The net weight is the figure excluding the weight of the box.
この缶詰の正味量は200グラムだ。
The net content of this canned food is 200 grams.
2.
actual, real, true
The real or essential content, excluding extras.
正味何時間かかりましたか。
How many hours did it actually take?
Asking about real working time, excluding breaks
正味の話、彼は信用できない。
To be honest, I can't trust him.
Colloquial: 正味の話 = honestly speaking (Kansai dialect origin)
会議は2時間の予定だったが、正味30分しか話し合っていない。
The meeting was scheduled for two hours, but we only actually discussed for 30 minutes.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 正味〜グラム (net ~ grams)
- 正味重量 (net weight)
- 正味時間 (actual time)
- 正味の話 (to be honest - colloquial)
OPPOSITE:
- 総 (gross, total)
- 見かけ (appearance, seeming)
REGIONAL NOTE:
正味の話 is particularly common in Kansai dialect as a conversational filler meaning "honestly" or "to be real."
[Register: Neutral to Informal]