Japanese word

合

Pronunciation

Romajigō

Meaning

  • nounJapanese unit of volume

Example

一合は約百八十ミリリットルです。ichi gō wa yaku hyaku hachi jū mi ri ri tto ru de su

One Japanese unit of volume is about 180 milliliters.

Illustration for 合 (Japanese unit of volume)

More examples

寿司飯を作るときは、米を三合使います。su shi meshi o tsuku ru to ki wa bei o san gō tsuka i ma su

We use three go of rice when making sushi rice.

Core concept

Marks a small traditional Japanese volume measure used to set a fixed amount of rice, sake, or other goods.

Common phrases

  • 一合分ichi gō bun

    one go's worth

  • 二合を量るni gō o haka ru

    measure two go

  • 三合の米san gō no bei

    three go of rice

Definition in Japanese

米や酒などを量る、約百八十ミリリットルの容積の単位。bei ya sake na do o haka ru yaku hyaku hachi jū mi ri ri tto ru no yō seki no tan i

Word origin

The unit name 合 (gō, "volume unit") uses the Sino-Japanese reading of 合, a character meaning "fit" or "join"; in Japanese measurement, one 合 is one-tenth of one 升 (shō).

Usage tips

  • A standard sake bottle called 一升瓶 (isshōbin) holds one 升 (shō), or ten 合 (gō), linking this small measure to a familiar 1.8-liter bottle.

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