正味
しょうみ · shoumi · JLPT N2 · na-adj
net (weight)
⚖️ Sounds like show me: show me the weight of the goods without the packaging
正 means correct or true, and 味 means substance. Together they mean the true contents, excluding the packaging. Product labels use it for net weight.
正 — one 一 + stop 止
Originally an ideograph showing a foot (止) advancing toward a target line (一), meaning 'to march straight toward' a city or goal. From this came the senses 'upright,' 'correct,' and 'proper.' The military sense survives in 征 (to campaign), which took over the original 'march' meaning.