The Meaning of hijū [比重] In Japanese

比重
ひじゅう
Romaji: hijū N3

What does 比重 mean?

Translation and Meaning

specific gravity, relative importance

Definition

比重 means the relative heaviness or density of something when compared to a reference standard. In science this denotes the specific gravity—the ratio of a substance’s density to water. In everyday or abstract use, it signals relative importance or weight given to something in a calculation or judgment.

Type

noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • 1) Specific gravity: the density of a substance relative to water, used in physics and engineering to compare materials.
  • 2) Relative importance: the weight or significance assigned to a factor in analysis or decision-making.

Composition

  • 比: to compare, ratio
  • 重: heavy, weight

Usage

Used in formal scientific writing, textbooks, and technical reports to denote measurable density or comparative significance. In casual or metaphorical contexts, 比重が高い (hijū ga takai) expresses that something carries more influence or priority; common constructions include 比重が高い (hijū ga takai), 比重を占める (hijū o shimeru), 比重を測る (hijū o hakaru).
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: think of 比 as a scale for comparison and 重 as weight; when you compare against a reference like water, you obtain a ratio that reflects how heavy or influential something is relative to that reference.

Variations

  • 密度比 (mitsudo-hi): density ratio
  • 重要度 (jūyōdo): importance level
  • 重みづけ (omowazuke): weighting

Example Phrases

  • 家計の中で食費の比重が大きくなってきた。
    Kakei no naka de shokuhi no hijū ga ookiku nattekita.
    The share of food expenses in the household has grown.
    Lista:
    • 家計の中で (kakei no naka de) – in the household budget
    • 食費の比重 (shokuhi no hijū) – the share of food expenses
    • が (ga) – subject marker
    • 大きく (ookiku) – larger
    • なってきた (nattekita) – has become
    In this sentence, 「比重」 means the weight or proportion of a part within a whole, highlighting the share of food expenses in the household.
比重