単位

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 単位(たんい) is a standard unit for quantities; in education it can also mean credit awarded for completed coursework.
• Basic usage: Context distinguishes a unit written beside a length measurement from credits earned toward graduation.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Number and measurement unit
  • 数字だけでなく単位も appears where a number alone does not fully identify a quantity. In 3メートル, for example, 3 is the number and メートル the unit.
• Course credits versus scores
  • 単位を取る means earning credits. Distinguish this from 点数(てんすう), a score such as points received on a test.