The difference between 工分 and 釐米

[JonBI]

Can somebody tell me the difference, or are they the same? My textbook listed them both but wasn't clear if there was a difference or not, so I am wondering if there is one, in terms of usage or application or whatever. As of now I have just been using 公分 for everything, but I don't know if that is wrong.

Thanks very much in advance.

Jonathan

[JonBI]

Oops, just realized I typed wrong, meant 公分

[trien27]

公分 = 釐米 = centimeter(s) / centimetre(s)

公分 might mean gram(s) so be careful in using it.

[brilight]

厘米 is more formal than 公分, and it is taught to the students in the primary school.

公分 is more common to see in daily conversations because it is a traditional term which is accepted especially by old people

[JonBI]

Thanks guys Really appreciate it - so either is Ok, good

[skylee]

When I was little I was taught 厘米, 米, 千米 and 千克 etc (that was of course after learning foot, yard, pound). It was not until much much later that 公分, 公尺, 公里 and 公斤 etc appeared here.

[slywhisper]

They're exactly the same.

公分 is more frequent in oral chinese, esp in the south China, such as in Shanghai.

厘米 is the formal way of saying centimeter. When writing a scientific paper, people only use 厘米 but never 公分。

But in daily life, you can use either:)