質 量(しつりょう)

しつりょう

noun

mass (physics)

academic

1. mass (physics)

The quantity of matter in a body, a fundamental property in physics. Distinguished from weight, which varies with gravity. Composed of 質 (quality/substance) + 量 (quantity).

この物体(ぶったい)の質量(しつりょう)は五(ご)キログラムだ。

The mass of this object is five kilograms.

月(つき)では重力(じゅうりょく)が弱(よわ)いが、質量(しつりょう)は変(か)わらない。

Gravity is weaker on the moon, but mass doesn't change.

太陽(たいよう)の質量(しつりょう)は地球(ちきゅう)の約(やく)三十三万(さんじゅうさんまん)倍(ばい)もある。

The mass of the sun is about 330,000 times that of the earth.

Usage

質量(しつりょう) is a scientific term used in physics, chemistry, and related fields. In everyday language, 重(おも)さ (weight) is more commonly used, though technically 質量(しつりょう) and 重(おも)さ are different concepts.

Common collocations

質量(しつりょう)を測(はか)る (measure the mass)
原子(げんし)質量(しつりょう) (atomic mass)
質量(しつりょう)保存(ほぞん)の法則(ほうそく) (law of conservation of mass)
質量(しつりょう)の単位(たんい) (unit of mass)

Similar words

重量(じゅうりょう) means "weight" — the force exerted by gravity on an object. 体重(たいじゅう) means "body weight." In everyday speech, 重(おも)さ covers both mass and weight informally.

general

Added 2026.3.8 18:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 21:55

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