quality

Definitions

qual (of what kind) + -ity (state, condition) = 'the state of being a certain kind.' This is Cicero's coinage quālitās — literally 'of-what-kind-ness.' Asking 'what kind is it?' first gives you a thing's characteristics (its qualities), then naturally slides into 'how good is that kind?' — its degree of excellence.

Why It Means This

Quality literally means 'what-kind-ness.' That root idea splits into the word's two everyday senses. First, a quality is simply a characteristic — what sort of trait something has (kindness is one of her best qualities). Second, the quality of something is how good it is — because once you ask what kind a thing is, you end up ranking the kinds. A neutral question about character became an evaluation of worth.

Common Collocations

• 1.high quality高质量
• 2.poor quality劣质
• 3.quality control质量控制
• 4.quality of life生活质量
• 5.top quality顶级品质

Example Sentences

• 1.

  We never compromise on the quality of our materials.

• 2.

  Patience is one of her most valuable qualities.

• 3.

  The restaurant is known for its quality ingredients.

• 4.

  There is a clear difference in quality between the two phones.

Easily Confused

Quality vs quantity: quality is what kind / how good (the quality of the work); quantity is how much / how many (the quantity produced). They are the classic qual/quant pair — describe its nature → quality; count it → quantity.

Synonym Comparison