軽重(けいちょう)

けいちょう
noun
light and heavy; relative importance; weight
formalabstractevaluationlaw
1. relative importance; priority; significance
the degree of importance or priority given to something
罪(つみ)の軽重(けいちょう)を判断(はんだん)する。
To judge the severity of a crime.
仕事(しごと)の軽重(けいちょう)に応(おう)じて担当(たんとう)を決(き)める。
To assign responsibilities according to the importance of the work.
命(いのち)の軽重(けいちょう)は問(と)えない。
One cannot weigh the value of lives.
税金(ぜいきん)の軽重(けいちょう)は収入(しゅうにゅう)によって決(き)まる。
Tax burden is determined by income.
責任(せきにん)の軽重(けいちょう)にかかわらず全員(ぜんいん)で対応(たいおう)する。
We will respond as a team regardless of the level of responsibility.
2. light and heavy; weight difference
the physical difference in weight between things
荷物(にもつ)の軽重(けいちょう)を確認(かくにん)する。
To check the weight of the luggage.
石(いし)の軽重(けいちょう)を手(て)で確(たし)かめる。
To check the weight of stones by hand.
素材(そざい)の軽重(けいちょう)によって運搬方法(うんぱんほうほう)を変(か)える。
We change the transport method depending on the weight of the materials.

軽重(けいちょう) is a compound of 軽(けい) (light) + 重(ちょう) (heavy), used figuratively for relative importance.

Usage

Sense 1 (relative importance/severity) is the primary modern usage. The physical "light and heavy" meaning is less common.

Common collocations

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Formal word often used in legal, business, and academic contexts.

general
Added 2026.1.25 14:57 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
08000/08123_keichou