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A2 noun #2,500 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

キロ

Kilometer or kilogram.

kiro
At the A1 level, learning the word 'kiro' is essential for basic survival and navigation in Japan. Beginners should focus on understanding that 'kiro' represents numbers related to distance and weight. When you ask 'How far is the station?', the answer will likely contain 'kiro'. When you buy a bag of rice, it will be marked in 'kiro'. At this stage, you do not need to worry about complex sentences. Simply practicing numbers from 1 to 10 followed by 'kiro' (ichi-kiro, ni-kiro, san-kiro) is sufficient. It is also important to recognize the written abbreviations 'km' and 'kg' and know that they are pronounced 'kiro' in Japanese. Do not try to read them as English letters. If you are from a country that uses miles or pounds, the A1 level is the time to start memorizing your own weight in kilograms and your typical walking distances in kilometers, so you can communicate basic personal facts. For example, being able to say 'Watashi wa 60 kiro desu' (I am 60 kilos) is a practical A1 skill. You will hear this word in supermarkets, at train stations, and when talking to taxi drivers. It is a foundational vocabulary word that connects numbers to real-world physical realities in Japan.
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At the A2 level, your use of 'kiro' should expand to include more descriptive and comparative sentences. You should be able to ask questions using 'nan-kiro' (how many kilos/kilometers). For example, 'Eki made nan-kiro desu ka?' (How many kilometers to the station?) or 'Kono nimotsu wa nan-kiro desu ka?' (How many kilograms is this luggage?). You will also start using 'kiro' in conjunction with verbs of motion and change. Phrases like '5-kiro hashirimashita' (I ran 5 kilometers) or '2-kiro yasemashita' (I lost 2 kilos) become part of your regular conversational repertoire. At this level, you should be comfortable distinguishing whether 'kiro' means weight or distance entirely based on the context of the sentence, without needing explicit clarification. You will also encounter 'kiro' in the context of speed limits when driving or taking buses, such as '60-kiro de hashiru' (driving at 60 km/h). Understanding these nuances allows you to participate in everyday conversations about health, travel, and daily routines. You should also practice using approximate numbers, such as 'yaku 10-kiro' (about 10 kilos), which is very common in casual Japanese speech when exact measurements are not necessary.
At the B1 level, 'kiro' is used in more complex narratives and explanations. You will use it to discuss goals, plans, and conditions. For example, you might explain a diet plan: 'Raigetsu made ni 3-kiro yasetai desu' (I want to lose 3 kilos by next month). You will also use it to describe geographical relationships more accurately, such as 'Koko kara 50-kiro hanareta machi' (A town 50 kilometers away from here). At this intermediate stage, you should be familiar with the suffix '-dai' (台) to express ranges, such as '50-kiro dai' (in the 50kg range). You will also hear 'kiro' used in news reports regarding traffic accidents, weather phenomena (like the speed of a typhoon), and sports broadcasts. Your listening comprehension should be sharp enough to catch these measurements in fast-paced spoken Japanese. Furthermore, you should be able to handle situations at the airport or post office where weight limits are strictly enforced, using phrases like 'Jyuuryou seigen wa 20-kiro made desu' (The weight limit is up to 20 kilos). Mastery at the B1 level means 'kiro' is no longer just a vocabulary word, but a functional tool for navigating Japanese society and expressing detailed personal experiences.
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At the B2 level, your interaction with the word 'kiro' involves advanced fluency and the ability to discuss technical, societal, or abstract topics where measurements are relevant. You might discuss the fuel efficiency of a car using 'rittoru atari nan-kiro' (how many kilometers per liter). You can engage in detailed conversations about health metrics, sports statistics, or logistics. For instance, discussing the logistics of a supply chain or the physical demands of a marathon requires precise use of 'kiro' alongside advanced vocabulary. You will also understand idiomatic or exaggerated uses of measurements in casual speech. At this level, you are expected to seamlessly integrate 'kiro' into complex grammatical structures, such as conditional clauses ('Moshi 10-kiro ijyou aru nara...' - If it is more than 10 kilos...) or passive constructions. You will also be comfortable reading technical manuals, fitness articles, or news reports where 'km' and 'kg' are used extensively, instantly translating them to 'kiro' in your mind. The B2 learner uses 'kiro' with the same unconscious ease as a native speaker, never hesitating over the conversion or the pronunciation, and fully understanding the cultural weight (pun intended) of these measurements in a metric-centric society like Japan.
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At the C1 level, the word 'kiro' is a microscopic part of your vast vocabulary, but your usage of it reflects near-native precision. You can discuss macroeconomic topics, such as agricultural yields measured in thousands of kilos, or civil engineering projects spanning hundreds of kilometers. You understand the subtle differences in register; for example, knowing exactly when a formal presentation might require the full 'kiromeetoru' for clarity versus when 'kiro' is expected even in a business setting to maintain a natural flow. You can debate the merits of different fitness regimens, discussing metabolic rates and kilo-calorie (often just called 'kiro-karo-ri' or 'karo-ri') burn rates. You are also adept at understanding regional dialects or fast, slurred speech where 'kiro' might be compressed. At this advanced stage, you can also appreciate the historical context of the metric system's adoption in Japan and how it displaced older terms like 'ri' (for distance) or 'kan' (for weight), even recognizing these older terms in literature or proverbs. Your command of 'kiro' at C1 is absolute, allowing you to use it in professional, academic, and highly informal settings without a second thought.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'kiro' and the entire Japanese measurement lexicon is indistinguishable from an educated native speaker. You can effortlessly navigate highly specialized fields—such as physics, advanced engineering, or professional sports analytics—where 'kiro' is combined with other metric prefixes or complex units (e.g., kilogram-force, kilometers per second squared). You understand the sociolinguistic nuances of how weight and distance are discussed in Japanese media, recognizing the implications of a news anchor emphasizing a specific 'kiro' measurement to highlight the severity of a storm or the impressiveness of an athletic feat. You can write academic papers or technical reports using the correct abbreviations (km, kg) while flawlessly reading them aloud as 'kiro' during a defense or presentation. You are also capable of creative and literary uses of the word, understanding metaphors or poetic descriptions that rely on the concept of distance or weight. At C2, 'kiro' is not just a unit of measurement; it is a fundamental building block of the Japanese language that you manipulate with complete unconscious competence, reflecting your profound integration into the linguistic and cultural fabric of Japan.
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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

キロ en 30 secondes

  • Means either Kilometer or Kilogram.
  • Context determines the exact meaning.
  • Used constantly in daily Japanese life.
  • Attaches directly after a number (e.g., 5キロ).

The Japanese word キロ (kiro) is a highly versatile and ubiquitous noun that serves as an abbreviation for either 'kilometer' (キロメートル) or 'kilogram' (キログラム). In everyday conversation, Japanese speakers rarely use the full terms unless strict clarification is required. The specific meaning is almost always inferred from the context of the sentence. If the topic is distance, travel, driving, or running, it means kilometer. If the topic is weight, groceries, dieting, or shipping, it means kilogram. This linguistic shortcut is a staple of daily life in Japan, a country that fully utilizes the metric system.

Kilometer (Distance)
Used when discussing how far away a location is, the length of a marathon, or the speed of a vehicle (kilometers per hour).

駅まであと3キロです。(It is 3 kilometers more to the station.)

Understanding this dual nature is crucial for beginners. When you go to a supermarket, you might buy meat by the gram, but rice is typically sold in 2, 5, or 10-kilo bags. Conversely, when taking a taxi, the driver will estimate the journey in kilos. The metric system was officially adopted by Japan in the late 19th century, replacing the traditional shakkanho system, and 'kilo' quickly became the standard colloquialism.

Kilogram (Weight)
Used for body weight, luggage allowances, and bulk food purchases.

この荷物は20キロあります。(This luggage weighs 20 kilograms.)

It is also worth noting that while 'kilo' technically means 1,000 in the metric prefix system, it is never used in Japanese to mean just the number 1,000 (which is 'sen'). It strictly refers to the units of measurement. In digital contexts, it can occasionally mean kilobyte, but 'KB' (ケービー) is more common.

Speed Context
When combined with speed, it implies km/h. '100キロで走る' means driving at 100 km/h.

時速60キロで運転します。(I drive at 60 km per hour.)

Mastering the use of 'kiro' will make your Japanese sound much more natural. Native speakers will rarely say 'kiromeetoru' unless they are reading a formal document, a textbook, or giving highly precise scientific data. Therefore, training your ear to catch 'kiro' and immediately deduce its meaning from the surrounding context is a vital step in achieving fluency.

体重が5キロ減りました。(I lost 5 kilos of body weight.)

毎日10キロ走っています。(I run 10 kilometers every day.)

Using キロ in a sentence is grammatically straightforward because it functions as a standard counter or unit noun. It directly follows a number. You simply state the number and attach 'kiro' to the end. For example, 1 is 'ichi kiro', 2 is 'ni kiro', 3 is 'san kiro', and so on. There are no complex phonetic changes (rendaku) when attaching numbers to 'kiro', making it one of the easiest measurement words to learn in Japanese.

Basic Number Attachment
Number + キロ. Example: 5キロ (go kiro).

ここから東京まで約500キロです。(It is about 500 kilometers from here to Tokyo.)

When asking questions about distance or weight, you use the question word 'nan' (what/how many) combined with 'kiro' to form 'nan-kiro' (何キロ). This translates to 'how many kilometers' or 'how many kilograms'. Again, the context of the conversation will dictate which one you are asking about. If you are looking at a map, 'nan-kiro' means distance. If you are looking at a scale, it means weight.

Asking Questions
Use 何キロ (nan-kiro) to ask 'how many kilos/kilometers'.

あなたの体重は何キロですか。(How many kilograms do you weigh?)

In written Japanese, you will often see the English abbreviations 'km' and 'kg' used in signs, menus, and official documents. However, even when written as 'km' or 'kg', Japanese people will read these aloud as 'kiro'. It is very rare to hear someone spell out the letters 'k-m' or 'k-g'. You must train yourself to read these Latin abbreviations using the Japanese katakana pronunciation.

Reading Abbreviations
Written 'km' or 'kg' are pronounced as 'kiro'.

この看板には「次の町まで10km（キロ）」と書いてあります。(This sign says '10km to the next town'.)

Another common usage is with the word 'dai' (台), meaning 'level' or 'range'. For example, if someone says their weight is in the 'rokujuu-kiro dai' (60キロ台), it means they weigh somewhere in the 60s (between 60.0 and 69.9 kg). This is a very common way to discuss weight or speed without giving an exact number.

彼の球速は150キロ台です。(His pitch speed is in the 150 km/h range.)

お米を10キロ買いました。(I bought 10 kilos of rice.)

You will encounter the word キロ constantly in Japan, as it is embedded in almost every aspect of daily life that involves measurement. One of the most common places is on the road. Japan's highway system and local roads rely entirely on the metric system. Speed limits, distance markers, and GPS navigation systems will all use 'kiro'. When using a Japanese car navigation system (karanabi), the voice will frequently tell you, 'In 2 kilos, turn left' (ni-kiro saki, hidari desu).

Driving and Navigation
Used for speed limits (e.g., 制限速度60キロ) and distances to destinations.

次のインターチェンジまであと5キロです。(It is 5 kilometers to the next interchange.)

Another major area where 'kiro' is ubiquitous is in health, fitness, and dieting. Japanese culture places a significant emphasis on health monitoring, and discussing weight loss or gain in 'kiro' is a standard topic of casual conversation among friends or colleagues. Gyms, fitness apps, and health clinics will all track your progress using this unit. If you join a gym in Japan, your treadmill will measure your run in kilos, and your weights will be in kilos.

Health and Fitness
Used to discuss body weight, weightlifting, and running distances.

ダイエットをして3キロ痩せました。(I went on a diet and lost 3 kilos.)

Travel and logistics also heavily rely on this word. When you go to the airport, the check-in staff will weigh your luggage and tell you if it exceeds the 'ni-juu kiro' (20 kilo) limit. Delivery services like Kuroneko Yamato or Sagawa Express calculate shipping costs based on the size and the weight in kilos of the package. Knowing how to express and understand these measurements can save you a lot of trouble when traveling or sending gifts.

Travel and Shipping
Crucial for luggage weight limits and parcel delivery services.

手荷物は10キロまで無料です。(Carry-on luggage is free up to 10 kilos.)

Finally, sports broadcasting is another domain where 'kiro' shines. In baseball, Japan's most popular sport, the speed of a pitcher's fastball is a major talking point, always measured in 'kiro'. In marathons, commentators track the runners' pace per 'kiro'. It is truly a word that bridges the gap between casual daily chores and national entertainment.

彼は160キロのストレートを投げました。(He threw a 160 km/h fastball.)

このスーパーではお米5キロが安いです。(5 kilos of rice is cheap at this supermarket.)

While キロ is a simple word, learners often make mistakes regarding its context and cultural application. The most frequent error for native English speakers, particularly those from the United States, is forgetting to convert their measurements. Saying 'I weigh 150 kilos' when you mean 150 pounds will cause extreme shock to a Japanese listener, as 150 kilograms is over 330 pounds. Always do the mental math (divide pounds by 2.2) before stating your weight in Japan.

Unit Confusion
Failing to convert miles to kilometers or pounds to kilograms before speaking.

❌ 私は150キロです。(I weigh 150 kg - usually a mistake for 150 lbs.)
⭕ 私は68キロです。(I weigh 68 kg.)

Another common mistake is trying to use 'kiro' to mean the number 1,000 in financial contexts. In English, someone might say 'I make 50k a year' or 'It costs 5k'. In Japanese, you cannot use 'kiro' this way. Money is always counted using standard Japanese numbers like 'man' (10,000) or 'sen' (1,000). Saying 'go-kiro en' (5 kilo yen) is completely nonsensical and will not be understood.

Financial Contexts
Never use 'kiro' to mean 1,000 when talking about money or general quantities.

❌ このパソコンは100キロ円です。
⭕ このパソコンは10万円です。(This computer is 100,000 yen.)

Learners also sometimes overcomplicate their speech by insisting on using the full words 'kiromeetoru' or 'kiroguramu' in casual conversation. While grammatically correct, it sounds stiff, overly formal, or robotic. It is akin to saying 'I am going to the gymnasium' instead of 'gym' in English. Embrace the abbreviation 'kiro' to sound more natural and fluent.

Over-formality
Using the full words instead of the abbreviation in casual speech.

❌ 毎日5キロメートル走ります。(Sounds robotic in casual speech.)
⭕ 毎日5キロ走ります。(Sounds natural.)

Lastly, be careful with pronunciation. The Japanese 'r' sound in 'kiro' is a flap, somewhere between an English 'r', 'l', and 'd'. Pronouncing it with a hard English 'r' (kee-row) or a heavy 'l' (kee-low) marks a strong foreign accent. Practice the light tap of the tongue on the alveolar ridge to master the true Japanese 'kiro'.

荷物が重量オーバーで、追加料金がかかりました。(My luggage was over the kilo limit, so I paid an extra fee.)

スピード違反で捕まりました。20キロオーバーでした。(I got caught speeding. I was 20 kilos over.)

To fully grasp キロ, it is helpful to understand its place among other measurement words in Japanese. The most direct relatives are the base units: 'meetoru' (メートル - meter) and 'guramu' (グラム - gram). Just like 'kiro', these are loanwords written in katakana. You will use 'meetoru' for shorter distances, like the size of a room or a short sprint, and 'guramu' for lighter weights, particularly in cooking or buying small amounts of groceries.

メートル (Meetoru)
Meter. Used for shorter distances and human height (though cm is more common for height).

100メートル走で1位になりました。(I got first place in the 100-meter dash.)

Another related term is 'senchi' (センチ), which is the abbreviation for centimeter (センチメートル). In Japan, human height is almost exclusively given in centimeters, not meters and centimeters. For example, someone who is 1.75 meters tall will say they are 'hyaku nana-juu go senchi' (175 cm). This is a crucial difference from some other metric-using countries.

センチ (Senchi)
Centimeter. The standard unit for measuring human height and small objects.

身長は160センチです。(My height is 160 centimeters.)

For those coming from the US or UK, you might wonder about words like 'mairu' (マイル - mile) or 'pondo' (ポンド - pound). While these words exist in the Japanese dictionary and are understood by people familiar with Western sports (like golf or bowling), they are virtually never used in daily Japanese life. Using them will confuse most people. Always stick to 'kiro'.

マイル / ポンド (Mairu / Pondo)
Mile / Pound. Rarely used in Japan outside of specific imported contexts like bowling balls or airplane mileage programs.

ボウリングの球はポンドで測ります。(Bowling balls are measured in pounds.)

Lastly, there is the prefix 'miga' (メガ) and 'giga' (ギガ), which have become incredibly common in the digital age. While 'kiro' handles physical weight and distance, 'giga' is the king of digital data in casual Japanese. If someone runs out of mobile data, they will say 'giga ga nai' (I have no gigas). Understanding this family of prefixes helps navigate both the physical and digital landscapes of modern Japan.

スマホのギガが減りました。(My smartphone's gigabytes decreased.)

お肉を200グラムください。(Please give me 200 grams of meat.)

How Formal Is It?

Formel

""

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

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Exemples par niveau

1

駅まで1キロです。

1 kilometer to the station.

Noun + です for simple statements.

2

これは3キロです。

This is 3 kilos.

Demonstrative pronoun + measurement.

3

何キロですか。

How many kilos?

何 (nan) + counter for questions.

4

5キロ走ります。

I run 5 kilometers.

Measurement + action verb.

5

お米を10キロ買いました。

I bought 10 kilos of rice.

Object particle を with measurement.

6

私の体重は60キロです。

My weight is 60 kilos.

Possessive の with specific noun (体重).

7

タクシーで2キロ行きます。

I will go 2 kilometers by taxi.

Means/method particle で.

8

荷物は20キロまでです。

Luggage is up to 20 kilos.

Limit particle まで.

1

ここから東京まで何キロありますか。

How many kilometers is it from here to Tokyo?

から (from) and まで (to) with あります (exists/is).

2

ダイエットをして、2キロ痩せました。

I went on a diet and lost 2 kilos.

Te-form for sequential actions.

3

この道は時速50キロです。

This road is 50 km/h.

Compound noun 時速 (speed per hour).

4

毎日3キロ歩くようにしています。

I try to walk 3 kilometers every day.

ようにしている for habitual effort.

5

そのカバンは5キロぐらいあります。

That bag weighs about 5 kilos.

ぐらい (about/approximately) for estimation.

6

1キロ先にコンビニがあります。

There is a convenience store 1 kilometer ahead.

先 (ahead) used with distance.

7

彼は私より10キロ重いです。

He is 10 kilos heavier than me.

より for comparison.

8

スーパーで肉を1キロ買わなければなりません。

I have to buy 1 kilo of meat at the supermarket.

なければならない for obligation.

1

台風は時速20キロの速さで北上しています。

The typhoon is moving north at a speed of 20 km/h.

速さ (speed) nominalized with さ.

2

フルマラソンは42.195キロ走る過酷なスポーツです。

A full marathon is a grueling sport where you run 42.195 kilometers.

Modifying a noun with a descriptive phrase.

3

燃費がいい車なので、1リットルで20キロ走れます。

Because it's a fuel-efficient car, it can run 20 kilometers on 1 liter.

Potential form 走れます and reason particle ので.

4

荷物が重量制限の23キロを超えてしまい、追加料金を払いました。

My luggage exceeded the 23-kilo weight limit, so I paid an extra fee.

Te-shimau for an unfortunate completed action.

5

目標は、夏までに体重を50キロ台に落とすことです。

My goal is to drop my weight into the 50-kilo range by summer.

台 (range) and nominalizer こと.

6

このトラックは最大積載量が2000キロです。

This truck has a maximum load capacity of 2000 kilos.

Technical vocabulary (最大積載量).

7

駅から家まで歩いて帰ったら、3キロもあった。

When I walked home from the station, it was as much as 3 kilometers.

も for emphasizing a surprisingly large amount.

8

ピッチャーが150キロを超える豪速球を投げた。

The pitcher threw a blazing fastball exceeding 150 km/h.

を超える (to exceed) modifying a noun.

1

この地域は半径10キロ圏内にスーパーが一つもない、いわゆる買い物難民のエリアだ。

This area is what they call a 'shopping refugee' area, with not a single supermarket within a 10-kilometer radius.

圏内 (within a radius) and いわゆる (so-called).

2

航空会社の規定により、機内持ち込み手荷物は10キロ以内に収める必要があります。

According to airline regulations, carry-on baggage must be kept within 10 kilos.

により (according to/due to) and 収める (to keep within).

3

彼はトレーニングの成果で、ベンチプレスで100キロを上げられるようになった。

As a result of his training, he has become able to lift 100 kilos on the bench press.

ようになる indicating a change in ability.

4

震源地から50キロ離れたこの町でも、強い揺れを感じました。

Even in this town 50 kilometers away from the epicenter, a strong tremor was felt.

離れた (separated/away) modifying the town.

5

物流コストの削減のため、100キロ以上の長距離輸送は鉄道に切り替える方針だ。

To reduce logistics costs, the policy is to switch long-distance transport of over 100 kilometers to railways.

方針だ (it is the policy/plan to).

6

ダイエット停滞期に入り、あと2キロがどうしても落ちない。

I've hit a weight-loss plateau, and I just can't seem to lose the last 2 kilos.

どうしても～ない (cannot no matter what).

7

電気自動車の普及には、1回の充電で500キロ以上走れるバッテリーの開発が不可欠だ。

For the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, the development of batteries that can run over 500 kilometers on a single charge is essential.

不可欠だ (is essential/indispensable).

8

時速数万キロという猛スピードで、隕石が地球に接近している。

A meteorite is approaching Earth at a breakneck speed of tens of thousands of kilometers per hour.

という (called/described as) used for emphasis.

1

政府は、今後10年間で全国の高速道路網をさらに数千キロ拡張する計画を発表した。

The government announced a plan to further expand the national expressway network by several thousand kilometers over the next 10 years.

Formal vocabulary (網, 拡張).

2

そのアスリートは、体脂肪率を極限まで削ぎ落とし、計量時には規定の60キロを正確にクリアした。

The athlete stripped their body fat percentage to the absolute limit and precisely cleared the regulated 60 kilos at the weigh-in.

極限まで (to the absolute limit) and クリアする (to clear/pass).

3

数百キロに及ぶ断層帯が動いたことで、未曾有の大地震が引き起こされたと推測されている。

It is presumed that the unprecedented earthquake was triggered by the movement of a fault zone spanning hundreds of kilometers.

に及ぶ (spanning/reaching) and 未曾有 (unprecedented).

4

この特殊合金は、1平方センチメートルあたり数千キロの圧力に耐えうる強度を誇る。

This special alloy boasts the strength to withstand a pressure of several thousand kilos per square centimeter.

耐えうる (capable of withstanding).

5

彼はわずか数キロの距離を移動するのにもタクシーを使うほどの極度の面倒くさがりだ。

He is so extremely lazy that he uses a taxi even to travel a distance of just a few kilometers.

わずか (merely/only) and ほどの (to the extent that).

6

農薬の使用量を1ヘクタールあたり数キロ削減するだけで、生態系への負荷は劇的に軽減される。

Just by reducing the amount of pesticide used by a few kilos per hectare, the burden on the ecosystem is dramatically alleviated.

軽減される (is alleviated/reduced - passive).

7

光の速度は秒速約30万キロであり、これは1秒間に地球を7周半する速さに相当する。

The speed of light is approximately 300,000 kilometers per second, which is equivalent to traveling around the Earth seven and a half times in one second.

に相当する (is equivalent to).

8

数十キロの装備を背負っての山岳行軍は、隊員たちの体力と精神力を極限まで試すものだった。

The mountain march, carrying tens of kilos of equipment, tested the squad members' physical and mental strength to the absolute limit.

背負っての (carrying on the back and doing...).

1

深海数千キロの過酷な水圧環境下で生息する新種の微生物が発見され、学界に波紋を呼んでいる。

A new species of microorganism living under the harsh water pressure environment thousands of kilometers deep in the ocean has been discovered, causing a stir in the academic community.

環境下で (under the environment of) and 波紋を呼ぶ (to cause a stir).

2

そのロケットは、地球の重力圏を脱出するために、秒速11.2キロという第一宇宙速度に到達しなければならない。

In order to escape the Earth's gravitational sphere, the rocket must reach the first cosmic velocity of 11.2 kilometers per second.

重力圏 (gravitational sphere) and 到達する (to reach).

3

何百キロという距離を隔てていても、現代の通信技術はまるで隣にいるかのようなリアルタイムの対話を可能にした。

Even separated by a distance of hundreds of kilometers, modern communication technology has made real-time dialogue possible, as if they were right next to each other.

隔てていても (even if separated by) and まるで～かのような (as if).

4

その橋梁の設計においては、風速数十キロの強風や巨大地震の揺れにも耐え得る高度な構造計算が要求された。

In the design of that bridge, advanced structural calculations capable of withstanding strong winds of tens of kilometers per second and the tremors of massive earthquakes were required.

耐え得る (capable of withstanding - formal) and 要求された (was required).

5

彼が提唱する新しい物流モデルは、ラストワンマイルならぬ「ラスト数キロ」の配送効率を飛躍的に向上させるポテンシャルを秘めている。

The new logistics model he proposes has the potential to dramatically improve the delivery efficiency of not just the last mile, but the 'last few kilometers'.

ならぬ (not [A] but [B]) and 飛躍的に (dramatically).

6

数万キロに及ぶ海底ケーブルの敷設事業は、国家間の情報インフラを根底から支える一大プロジェクトである。

The project to lay tens of thousands of kilometers of submarine cables is a massive undertaking that fundamentally supports the information infrastructure between nations.

根底から (from the foundation) and 一大 (massive/major).

7

微小重力空間での実験により、わずか数ミリグラムの質量の違いが、数千キロ離れた軌道計算に甚大な誤差をもたらすことが実証された。

Experiments in a microgravity space demonstrated that a mass difference of just a few milligrams can cause a massive error in orbital calculations thousands of kilometers away.

甚大な (massive/enormous) and もたらす (to bring about).

8

その歴史的建造物の移築には、総重量数千キロに及ぶ部材を一つ一つ解体し、再び寸分違わず組み上げるという神業が求められた。

The relocation of the historical building required the superhuman feat of dismantling components totaling thousands of kilos in weight one by one, and reassembling them without a fraction of an error.

寸分違わず (without a fraction of an error) and 神業 (superhuman feat).

Collocations courantes

何キロ (how many kilos)
数キロ (several kilos)
10キロ (10 kilos)
キロ単位 (by the kilo)
キロ数 (number of kilos/mileage)
時速～キロ (speed of ~ km/h)
～キロ痩せる (lose ~ kilos)
～キロ走る (run ~ kilos)
～キロ離れる (be ~ kilos away)
～キロオーバー (over by ~ kilos)

Phrases Courantes

あと何キロですか？ (How many more kilos is it?)

体重が数キロ増えた。(I gained a few kilos.)

時速60キロで走る。(Drive at 60 km/h.)

ここから約5キロです。(It's about 5 kilos from here.)

10キロの米を買う。(Buy 10 kilos of rice.)

荷物が20キロを超えた。(The luggage exceeded 20 kilos.)

毎日5キロジョギングする。(Jog 5 kilos every day.)

50キロ台をキープする。(Maintain a weight in the 50s kg.)

スピード違反で20キロオーバー。(Speeding by 20 km/h over the limit.)

何キロカロリーですか？ (How many kilocalories is it?)

Souvent confondu avec

キロ vs キロバイト (Kilobyte - usually abbreviated to KB / ケービー in speech)

キロ vs キロカロリー (Kilocalorie - usually abbreviated to カロリー in speech)

キロ vs マイル (Mile - completely different measurement, rarely used in Japan)

Expressions idiomatiques

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Facile à confondre

キロ vs

キロ vs

キロ vs

キロ vs

キロ vs

Structures de phrases

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Comment l'utiliser

money

Never use kiro to mean 1,000 when talking about money (e.g., don't say 5kiro for 5,000 yen).

abbreviation

Kiro is an abbreviation. In highly formal, legal, or scientific writing, the full terms キロメートル or キログラム are used, but in 99% of daily speech, キロ is preferred.

Erreurs courantes
  • Using 'kiro' to mean 1,000 yen (e.g., saying 10kiro instead of 1man-en).
  • Forgetting to convert pounds to kilograms when stating body weight, causing shock.
  • Pronouncing 'kiro' with a hard English 'R' or 'L' sound.
  • Using the full words 'kiromeetoru' or 'kiroguramu' in casual speech, sounding unnatural.
  • Assuming 'kiro' only means distance and getting confused when someone uses it for weight.

Astuces

Context is King

Always listen to the verb. If the verb is 'hashiru' (run) or 'aruku' (walk), kiro means distance. If the verb is 'yaseru' (lose weight) or 'kau' (buy food), it means weight.

Do the Math Beforehand

If you are from the US, memorize your height in cm and weight in kg before going to Japan. You will be asked for it at clinics, gyms, and when buying clothes.

Pitch Accent Matters

The pitch drops after the first syllable: KI-ro. If you say ki-RO (going up), it sounds like a question or a different word.

No Rendaku

Unlike some Japanese counters that change sound (like hon becoming pon), kiro never changes. It is always 'kiro' no matter what number comes before it.

Read Latin as Katakana

When you see 'km' or 'kg' on a sign in Japan, read it aloud as 'kiro'. Do not say 'kay-em' or 'kay-jee'.

Speed Limits

When driving, 'kiro' implies speed. A sign saying '50' means 50 kiro (50 km/h). Always assume metric on Japanese roads.

Buying Meat vs Rice

In supermarkets, meat is priced per 100 grams. Rice is sold in 2, 5, or 10-kilo bags. Don't ask for a kilo of beef unless you want a massive, expensive slab!

Luggage Limits

Airlines in Japan strictly enforce luggage weight in kilos. 'Nijuu-kiro' (20kg) is a standard limit for checked bags. Know this number.

Using 'Dai' for Ranges

If you don't want to reveal your exact weight, use the 'dai' suffix. 'Rokujuu-kiro dai' means 'in the 60s'. It's polite and common.

Not for Money

Never use 'kiro' to abbreviate thousands of yen. 5,000 yen is 'go-sen en', never 'go-kiro en'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a KEY (キ) opening a ROW (ロ) of heavy 1-kilogram weights that stretch for a kilometer.

Origine du mot

Borrowed from French/English 'kilo', which comes from the Greek 'khilioi' meaning thousand.

Contexte culturel

Discussing weight loss in 'kiro' is very common and often less taboo in Japan than in Western countries.

Speed limits are strictly in km/h. '100キロ' on the highway means 100 km/h.

Meat is usually sold by the 100 grams, not by the kilo. Only bulk items like rice are sold by the kilo.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"家から駅まで何キロくらいですか？ (About how many kilos is it from your house to the station?)"

"最近ダイエットしてるんだけど、何キロ痩せたと思う？ (I've been on a diet recently, how many kilos do you think I lost?)"

"スーツケース、何キロまで大丈夫でしたっけ？ (How many kilos was the suitcase allowed to be again?)"

"ここから東京まで何キロあるか知っていますか？ (Do you know how many kilos it is from here to Tokyo?)"

"ベンチプレスで何キロ上げられますか？ (How many kilos can you lift on the bench press?)"

Sujets d'écriture

Write about a time you had to walk many 'kiro'.

Describe your fitness goals using 'kiro'.

Explain the distance between your hometown and your current city in 'kiro'.

Write a packing list and estimate the weight of your bag in 'kiro'.

Discuss the speed limits (in kiro) in your country compared to Japan.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It means both. The meaning is entirely dependent on the context of the sentence. If you are talking about distance or speed, it means kilometer. If you are talking about weight, it means kilogram. Native speakers rarely clarify unless there is genuine confusion.

No, Japan is strictly a metric country. Miles and pounds are not used in daily life. If you use them, most people will not understand the measurement without looking up a conversion.

You can ask 'Taijuu wa nan-kiro desu ka?' (体重は何キロですか？). Be aware that asking about weight can be sensitive, though it is generally less taboo in Japan than in some Western cultures.

No. In English, people say '5k' to mean 5,000 dollars. In Japanese, 'kiro' is never used for money. You must use the proper Japanese numbers, like 'go-sen en' (5,000 yen).

The Japanese 'r' is a flap consonant. It sounds like a mix between an English 'r', 'l', and 'd'. Lightly tap the roof of your mouth with your tongue just behind your teeth.

Not at all. It is the standard, natural way to speak. Using the full words 'kiromeetoru' or 'kiroguramu' in casual conversation actually sounds strange and robotic.

You say 'jisoku [number] kiro' (時速〜キロ). For example, 60 km/h is 'jisoku rokujuu kiro'. The word 'jisoku' means 'speed per hour'.

Height is measured in centimeters (センチ - senchi), not meters and centimeters. For example, 1.75 meters is said as '175 senchi' (hyaku nana-juu go senchi).

The suffix 'dai' (台) means 'level' or 'range'. So '50-kiro dai' means a weight anywhere in the 50s (50.0 kg to 59.9 kg). It's a way to state weight without being overly specific.

No. The number attaches directly to the word. You say 'go-kiro' (5キロ), not 'go no kiro' or anything similar. It functions as a single unit.

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