weight; severity; priority; propriety
Meanings
3 senses · 8 examplesnoun
weight; heaviness; amount of force applied
Refers to the physical weight of an object or the amount of physical force used.
These two boxes have different weights—one can be lifted, the other cannot.
He doesn't know his own strength when playing ball and always ends up hurting others.
noun
severity; degree of seriousness; relative importance; priorities
Used to describe how serious a situation is or to distinguish between primary and secondary matters. Often appears in the set phrase 轻重缓急.
The doctor decides whether the patient needs to be hospitalized based on the severity of the condition.
You must prioritize your work by importance and urgency; you can't try to do everything at once.
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This matter is of great importance; we must carefully weigh the pros and cons.
noun
proper limits; sense of propriety; tact
Refers to knowing what is appropriate to say or do in a given social situation. Often used in the negative form 不知轻重.
Children don't know when to hold their tongues; please don't take offense.
When joking, you must know your limits; don't hurt people's feelings.
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He acts with great tact and never oversteps boundaries.