重(おも)さ

おもさ

noun

weight; heaviness

size

1. weight; heaviness

The physical weight of an object, or how heavy something feels. Formed from the adjective 重い by adding the suffix ～さ.

この荷物(にもつ)の重(おも)さはどのくらいですか。

How much does this luggage weigh?

重(おも)さを量(はか)ってから送料(そうりょう)を計算(けいさん)する。

We calculate the shipping cost after weighing it.

この箱(はこ)は見(み)た目(め)より重(おも)さがある。

This box is heavier than it looks.

2. weight; gravity; significance

The figurative weight or seriousness of something, such as responsibility, words, or a situation.

責任(せきにん)の重(おも)さを感(かん)じる。

I feel the weight of responsibility.

彼(かれ)の言葉(ことば)には重(おも)さがあった。

His words carried weight.

命(いのち)の重(おも)さは誰(だれ)にとっても同(おな)じだ。

The weight of life is the same for everyone.

Formed from the i-adjective 重(おも)い (heavy) plus the nominalizing suffix ～さ, which converts adjectives into nouns expressing degree or extent.

Common collocations

重(おも)さを量(はか)る (to weigh, to measure the weight)
重(おも)さがある (to have weight, to be heavy)
責任(せきにん)の重(おも)さ (the weight of responsibility)
言葉(ことば)の重(おも)さ (the weight of words)
命(いのち)の重(おも)さ (the weight/value of life)

Do not confuse with 重(おも)み, which also means "weight" but emphasizes dignity, gravitas, or significance rather than physical mass. 重(おも)さ is the more general term for both physical and figurative weight.

Related Words

Related: 重(おも)い (heavy)

Related: 厚(あつ)さ (thickness)

Related: 秤(はかり) (scales, weighing machine)

Related: 長(なが)さ (length)

Antonym: 軽(かる)さ (lightness)

general

Added 2026.3.1 18:38 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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