质量
quality; (physics) mass
zhìliàng
What does 质量 mean?
质量 (zhìliàng) is a noun with two distinct meanings. In everyday use it means 'quality' — the degree of excellence of a product, service, work, or even life (生活质量, 'quality of life'). A product with 质量好 is well-made; 质量差 means shoddy. This is by far the more common meaning for learners.
In physics, 质量 is the technical term for 'mass' (as opposed to 重量, 'weight'). English keeps 'quality' and 'mass' as unrelated words, so learners are often surprised the same Chinese word covers both — context makes it clear which is meant. Note that 质量 refers to how good something is, not to a 'quality' as in a characteristic; for that Chinese uses 特点 or 品质. It pairs naturally with 好/差/高/低 and verbs like 保证 ('guarantee') and 提高
Character breakdown
substance; nature; quality
quantity; amount; to measure
Memory hook: 质 (substance) + 量 (measure) — measuring the substance of something, i.e. its quality.
Measure word for 质量
Example sentences
这个牌子的手机质量很好。
Zhège páizi de shǒujī zhìliàng hěn hǎo.
This brand's phones are of good quality.
spoken
公司决定提高产品质量。
Gōngsī juédìng tígāo chǎnpǐn zhìliàng.
The company decided to improve product quality.
written
如果有质量问题，可以退货。
Rúguǒ yǒu zhìliàng wèntí, kěyǐ tuìhuò.
If there is a quality problem, you can return it.
neutral
在物理课上，我们学了质量和重量的区别。
Zài wùlǐ kè shàng, wǒmen xué le zhìliàng hé zhòngliàng de qūbié.
In physics class we learned the difference between mass and weight.
written
Common phrases with 质量
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质量 appears in 1 podcast episode at natural native speed, with full Chinese script, pinyin, and line-by-line English translation.
Synonyms
品质 is more literary and also describes a person's moral character (道德品质). For products both work, but 质量 is the everyday word and 品质 sounds a bit more premium or refined in marketing.
Don't confuse 质量 with
数量 means 'quantity / amount' (how much), while 质量 means 'quality' (how good). They share 量 and are often contrasted: 保证质量和数量, 'guarantee both quality and quantity.'
重量 is 'weight' in everyday and physics contexts, whereas 质量 as a physics term is 'mass.' Learners mix them up because English 'weight' loosely covers both.
FAQ
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