1.
looks; facial features; appearance
Physical attractiveness, especially of the face. Traditionally used more often for women's looks.
器量のいい人だ。
She is a good-looking person.
器量だけで人を判断してはいけない。
You shouldn't judge people by their looks alone.
昔は女性の価値が器量で決まると言われた時代もあった。
There was a time when a woman's worth was said to be determined by her looks.
2.
ability; caliber; capacity
The ability or capacity to handle important tasks or leadership. Refers to someone's overall competence and character.
彼にはリーダーとしての器量がある。
He has the caliber to be a leader.
社長の器量が問われている。
The president's ability is being called into question.
大きな組織をまとめるには、それなりの器量が必要だ。
A certain level of caliber is needed to lead a large organization.
A compound of 器 (vessel; capacity) and 量 (measure; amount). The two senses are quite different: sense 1 (looks) is somewhat old-fashioned and more commonly applied to women; sense 2 (ability) applies to anyone and is still actively used in business and leadership contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 器量がいい: good-looking (sense 1); capable (sense 2)
- 器量が悪い: plain-looking; unattractive
- 器量が問われる: one's caliber is tested
- 器量負け: a woman whose looks outshine her other qualities
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 容姿: appearance; looks — more neutral and modern term for physical appearance
- 器: caliber; vessel — the character standing alone; used metaphorically for a person's capacity (器が大きい = magnanimous)
- 才能: talent; ability — focuses on specific skills rather than overall character and leadership capacity