割合

wariai
nounIntermediate💡 ratio
formal

A quantitative relationship between two amounts, expressed as a fraction, percentage, or proportion.

売り上げに占める海外市場の割合は30%です。

The ratio of overseas markets in sales is 30%.

この混合物の水とアルコールの割合は2:1です。

The ratio of water to alcohol in this mixture is 2:1.

💡

Commonly used in statistics, finance, and general quantitative contexts. Often followed by particles like の (no) or に (ni) in Japanese.

formal

A portion or share of something relative to the whole.

この会社では、女性の割合が高いです。

In this company, the proportion of women is high.

💡

Similar to 'proportion' but emphasizes the comparative aspect between parts and the whole.

Collocations

割合を求めるto calculate the ratio割合が高いhigh ratio/proportion割合が低いlow ratio/proportion割合で表すto express as a ratio

Antonyms

Related Phrases

割合が逆転するphrase
the ratio reverses
割合を均等にするphrase
to equalize the ratio

💡Pro Tip

Distinguishing 割合 from 比率

While both mean 'ratio', 割合 often implies a part-to-whole relationship (e.g., '30% of the total'), whereas 比率 emphasizes the comparative relationship between two distinct quantities (e.g., 'the ratio of A to B is 3:1').

Gold Rule

Using 割合 with particles

割合 is typically followed by の (no) to modify a noun (e.g., 割合のデータ 'ratio data') or by に (ni) to indicate the basis of comparison (e.g., 全体に占める割合 'ratio relative to the whole'). It can also stand alone as a noun.

📖Word Origin

From the verb 割る (waru, 'to divide') + 合う (au, 'to match'), meaning 'to divide into matching parts'. The compound noun form emerged in the Edo period to describe proportional relationships.

📝Usage Notes

割合 is a formal term often used in academic, statistical, or business contexts. It is not typically used in casual conversation unless discussing quantitative data. The word can be used with particles の (no) to modify nouns (e.g., 割合のデータ 'ratio data') or with に (ni) to indicate the basis of comparison (e.g., 全体に占める割合 'ratio relative to the whole').

Word Breakdown

to divide
root
+
to match/fit
root
和英辞典