<ol>
<li><strong>The glyph origin is uncertain.</strong> Some think it means crop-field at first, others think it means to measure. These are all hypotheses.</li>
</ol>
<blockquote>
<p>「量」字的構形初義未有定論。甲金文從「日」從「東」，「東」象囊袋，異體從「田」，疑「量」是「糧」之初文(裘錫圭)，本義是糧田。一說會太陽底下量度東西之意(于省吾、劉興隆)，本義是衡量、量度。《說文》：「量，稱輕重也。从重省，曏省聲。，古文量。」(<a href="https://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/lexi-mf/search.php?word=%E9%87%8F" rel="nofollow noreferrer">漢語多功能字庫</a>)</p>
</blockquote>
<ol start="2">
<li><p><code>量</code> as a noun means 'quantity', as in <code>數量</code>, <code>大量</code>. As a verb, it means 'to measure as in <code>量度</code>; to estimate as in <code>估量</code>; to deliberate (a more abstract meaning, as in <code>思量</code>, <code>打量</code>)'. <strong>It is very important to note its part of speech for your understanding.</strong></p>
</li>
<li><p>How should we understand <code>不自量力</code>?  When a person does not (<code>不</code>) measure (<code>量</code> as verb) their own (<code>自</code>) abilities (<code>力</code>), you are implying they are overestimating themselves (i.e., they are <em>less</em> able than thought). For example, you would normally think twice before you challenge something/someone way out of your league (e.g., <code>專家</code> an expert). If you don't, you are 'not measuring your own abilities'.</p>
</li>
<li><p>I would prefer the idiom <code>妄自菲薄</code>, or the expression <code>低估自己</code> if you want to say 'to underestimate yourself'. <code>高估自己</code> means literally to overestimate yourself (i.e., an alternative of <code>不自量力</code>). Note we only say <code>高/低估</code>, not <code>高/低量</code>. However – you can criticise your own self as <code>高估自己</code>, but never <code>不自量力</code>. <strong><code>不自量力</code> works only as a criticism from others.</strong> Therefore,</p>
<blockquote>
<p>我以為能用一天完成十天的工作，實在是太【高估自己✓ 不自量力✖】了。</p>
<p>I thought I could finish ten days' worth of work in one day. I am really overestimating myself.</p>
<p>你以為能用一天完成十天的工作，實在是太【高估自己✓ 不自量力✓】了。</p>
<p>You think you can finish ten days' worth of work in one day? You are really overestimating yourself / biting off more than you can chew.</p>
</blockquote>
</li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-14T14:19:12.727Z
How about translating 不自量力 as equivalent to "Bite off more than one can chew"?
Wayne Cheah
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-14T14:23:35.940Z
This is indeed a much better translation.
L Parker
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-14T13:22:43.463Z
2021-04-14T14:23:58.693Z
2021-04-14T14:23:58.693Z
L Parker
<p>Words gain extended meanings all the time, 量 is no different. Most characters have more than one meaning and some even have ten or more</p>
<p>A common reason for a noun to gain the function of a verb is for convenience</p>
<p>Imagine after the noun 量 (amount) was coined, it was convenient to use it for the verb 'to measure' because we measure 'amount'. And the meaning of the noun 'amount' extended to mean 'capacity'</p>
<p>不自量力 is a common expression. It cannot be simply and literally used as &quot;not measure one's own capacity&quot;. 不自量力 always implies 'most likely taking on more than one can handle' -- not overestimate or underestimate but <strong>not estimate at all</strong>, which is always a bad thing.</p>
<p>“to underestimate one’s own capabilities“ is 自視過低 (see oneself too low)</p>
<p>“to overestimate one’s own capabilities“ is 自視過高 (see oneself too high)</p>
<p>不自量力 and 不知自量 (not knowing one should measure oneself = not knowing one's own place) express a similar sentiment</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-14T12:38:39.040Z
I just used my outlier dictionary. the information is as follows: I think I should be using this dictionary for this word and for the amount;;;
liáng

1 (orig.) to weigh heavy objects
2 → to measure

3 ⇒ to evaluate

liàng
1 (orig.) to weigh heavy objects
2 → scale
3 → amount
user27485
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-14T07:21:59.370Z
2021-04-14T17:26:11.627Z
2021-04-14T17:26:11.627Z
Tang Ho
<p>量 is one of the more controversial glyphs that doesn't have a confirmed origin. It's likely sun 日 and heavy 重 (extension of 東). You could think of weight 重 and time/movement of the sun 日 as things than can be measured.</p>
<p>The definitions are all linked as &quot;measure&quot; can be related to &quot;amount&quot; and &quot;capacity&quot;, both which can be measured.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-14T13:51:59.307Z
2021-04-14T13:51:59.307Z
Fishuman
<ol>
<li>I understand the meaning of 量 is measure, estimate. But how the capacity also was the meaning? any background, etymology?</li>
</ol>
<p>量 liàng measure, estimate, capacity, quantity</p>
<ol start="2">
<li>不自量力 bùzìliànglì not have a proper measure of oneself, to overestimate one’s capabilities</li>
</ol>
<p>can this idiom be used “to underestimate one’s capabilities? “</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-14T04:01:38.263Z
The short answer is no.
Betty
<meaning><meaning-in-context><etymology><glyph-origin>
不自量力 can this be used to under estimate one’s capabilities also?
# 不自量力 can this be used to under estimate one’s capabilities also?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-04-14)

1. I understand the meaning of 量 is measure, estimate. But how the capacity also was the meaning? any background, etymology?

量 liàng measure, estimate, capacity, quantity

2. 不自量力 bùzìliànglì not have a proper measure of oneself, to overestimate one’s capabilities

can this idiom be used “to underestimate one’s capabilities? “

**Tags:** meaning, meaning-in-context, etymology, glyph-origin

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The short answer is no.  

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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2021-04-14. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

1. **The glyph origin is uncertain.** Some think it means crop-field at first, others think it means to measure. These are all hypotheses.

> 「量」字的構形初義未有定論。甲金文從「日」從「東」，「東」象囊袋，異體從「田」，疑「量」是「糧」之初文(裘錫圭)，本義是糧田。一說會太陽底下量度東西之意(于省吾、劉興隆)，本義是衡量、量度。《說文》：「量，稱輕重也。从重省，曏省聲。，古文量。」([漢語多功能字庫](https://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/lexi-mf/search.php?word=%E9%87%8F))

2. `量` as a noun means 'quantity', as in `數量`, `大量`. As a verb, it means 'to measure as in `量度`; to estimate as in `估量`; to deliberate (a more abstract meaning, as in `思量`, `打量`)'. **It is very important to note its part of speech for your understanding.**
3. How should we understand `不自量力`? When a person does not (`不`) measure (`量` as verb) their own (`自`) abilities (`力`), you are implying they are overestimating themselves (i.e., they are *less* able than thought). For example, you would normally think twice before you challenge something/someone way out of your league (e.g., `專家` an expert). If you don't, you are 'not measuring your own abilities'.
4. I would prefer the idiom `妄自菲薄`, or the expression `低估自己` if you want to say 'to underestimate yourself'. `高估自己` means literally to overestimate yourself (i.e., an alternative of `不自量力`). Note we only say `高/低估`, not `高/低量`. However – you can criticise your own self as `高估自己`, but never `不自量力`. **`不自量力` works only as a criticism from others.** Therefore,

   > 我以為能用一天完成十天的工作，實在是太【高估自己✓ 不自量力✖】了。
   >
   > I thought I could finish ten days' worth of work in one day. I am really overestimating myself.
   >
   > 你以為能用一天完成十天的工作，實在是太【高估自己✓ 不自量力✓】了。
   >
   > You think you can finish ten days' worth of work in one day? You are really overestimating yourself / biting off more than you can chew.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: How about translating 不自量力 as equivalent to "Bite off more than one can chew"?  
> **username_2**: This is indeed a much better translation.  

---

### Answer by username_4 on 2021-04-14. Score: 2

Words gain extended meanings all the time, 量 is no different. Most characters have more than one meaning and some even have ten or more

A common reason for a noun to gain the function of a verb is for convenience

Imagine after the noun 量 (amount) was coined, it was convenient to use it for the verb 'to measure' because we measure 'amount'. And the meaning of the noun 'amount' extended to mean 'capacity'

不自量力 is a common expression. It cannot be simply and literally used as "not measure one's own capacity". 不自量力 always implies 'most likely taking on more than one can handle' -- not overestimate or underestimate but **not estimate at all**, which is always a bad thing.

“to underestimate one’s own capabilities“ is 自視過低 (see oneself too low)

“to overestimate one’s own capabilities“ is 自視過高 (see oneself too high)

不自量力 and 不知自量 (not knowing one should measure oneself = not knowing one's own place) express a similar sentiment

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I just used my outlier dictionary. the information is as follows: I think I should be using this dictionary for this word and for the amount;;; liáng  1 (orig.) to weigh heavy objects 2 → to measure  3 ⇒ to evaluate  liàng 1 (orig.) to weigh heavy objects 2 → scale 3 → amount  

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### Answer by username_5 on 2021-04-14. Score: 0

量 is one of the more controversial glyphs that doesn't have a confirmed origin. It's likely sun 日 and heavy 重 (extension of 東). You could think of weight 重 and time/movement of the sun 日 as things than can be measured.

The definitions are all linked as "measure" can be related to "amount" and "capacity", both which can be measured.


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