kavanin Posted January 3, 2012 at 12:56 AM Report Posted January 3, 2012 at 12:56 AM 今年的小麦产量比去年增加了七千斤。 How should I understand it? The dictionary defines 千斤 as "1,000 catties." I believe catty (or catties) is a weight unit I'm not familiar with. So, is it 3500 kg or 7000 catties? Quote
imron Posted January 3, 2012 at 01:42 AM Report Posted January 3, 2012 at 01:42 AM A 斤 is half a kilo, so it's 7,000 half-kilos, or in other words 3,500kg. Quote
jbradfor Posted January 3, 2012 at 04:02 AM Report Posted January 3, 2012 at 04:02 AM Just to be pedantic: a 斤 is 500 g only in current Mainland China. It is defined slightly differently in other countries even now, and had different definitions in China in the past. And it should also not be confused with 公斤. Quote
liuzhou Posted January 3, 2012 at 09:42 AM Report Posted January 3, 2012 at 09:42 AM If you come across the term 斤 in any modern sense, it means 500g. "Catty" comes from Malay/Javanese and, according to the OED was "equal to 16 taels, i.e. 11/3 lb. avoird., or 625 grammes". Its usage is now archaic, but turns up in literature. (Has anyone ever heard anyone actually use "catty" in everyday speech, anywhere?) Quote
imron Posted January 3, 2012 at 10:21 AM Report Posted January 3, 2012 at 10:21 AM Has anyone ever heard anyone actually use "catty" in everyday speech, anywhere? Yes, but usually referring to females, rather than as a unit of weight Quote
jbradfor Posted January 3, 2012 at 02:37 PM Report Posted January 3, 2012 at 02:37 PM If you come across the term 斤 in any modern sense, it means 500g. Unless you are, for example, in Taiwan. Quote
WestTexas Posted January 3, 2012 at 03:09 PM Report Posted January 3, 2012 at 03:09 PM The textbooks I used when studying in the US were written by Taiwanese people and had 斤 listed as 1kg, I think. It really confused me when I got here. I thought all the locals were overcharging me for things. Then I figured out that 斤 is half-kilo. Quote
David Wong Posted January 5, 2012 at 06:58 PM Report Posted January 5, 2012 at 06:58 PM Or unless it's in the context of "半斤八两“。 Quote
kavanin Posted January 5, 2012 at 10:49 PM Author Report Posted January 5, 2012 at 10:49 PM Thank you all. Quote
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