1.
looks; facial features; appearance
Physical attractiveness, especially of the face. Traditionally used more often for women's looks.
2.
ability; caliber; capacity
The ability or capacity to handle important tasks or leadership. Refers to someone's overall competence and character.
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