良質

りょうしつ · ryoushitsu · JLPT N1 · na-adj

good quality

🍶 良 (good) + 質 (quality): 'good quality' is literally the whole word, read it as 'good-stuff quality'.

良 means good and 質 means quality or substance, so 良質 is simply 'good quality'. The first kanji 良 also appears in 良い (yoi, good), a handy link.

良 — pictograph of a covered grain hopper
良 originated as a pictograph of a funnel-shaped device used to clean or sift grain, with a top opening, central body, and bottom outlet. From this image of selecting good grain, the meaning extended to 'fine,' 'good,' or 'excellent.' The modern shape obscures the original object.

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