(びりょう)

びりょう
noun, adjective (no)
trace amount, minute quantity
1. trace amount, minute quantity, tiny amount
An extremely small quantity of a substance. Used in scientific, medical, and everyday contexts to describe amounts that are barely detectable or insignificantly small.
微量(びりょう)(どく)検出(けんしゅつ)された。
A trace amount of poison was detected.
この食品(しょくひん)には微量(びりょう)添加物(てんかぶつ)(ふく)まれている。
This food product contains a minute amount of additives.
微量(びりょう)でも(からだ)影響(えいきょう)(あた)える物質(ぶっしつ)があるので注意(ちゅうい)必要(ひつよう)だ。
Caution is needed because there are substances that affect the body even in trace amounts.

USAGE:
A precise, somewhat technical word. Common in scientific reports, food labeling, medical contexts, and environmental discussions. Used as a の-adjective: 微量(びりょう)成分(せいぶん) (trace component).

SIMILAR WORDS:
Compare with 少量(しょうりょう) (a small amount), which refers to a small but noticeable quantity. 微量(びりょう) suggests an even smaller amount — barely detectable.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 微量(びりょう)元素(げんそ): trace element
  • 微量(びりょう)成分(せいぶん): trace component
  • 微量(びりょう)でも: even in trace amounts
  • 微量(びりょう)(ふく)まれる: to be present in minute quantities