Definitions
(noun)
catty (Chinese unit of weight); 500g in mainland China; 600g in Taiwan; 604g in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore
Etymology
Pictograph of an adze for carving wood.
About
The character "斤" originated as a pictographic representation of an axe or adze, a tool used for cutting and chopping in early Chinese society, with its structure abstractly capturing the form of the blade and handle. Etymologically, it directly denoted this implement, but its meaning transitioned over time to become a standard unit of weight, likely due to the tool's use as a counterbalance in measurement systems or its association with heft and utility. This semantic shift from a concrete object to an abstract measure illustrates a common pathway in the evolution of Chinese characters, where practical items lend their names to quantifiable concepts. The character's form has remained largely consistent throughout history, and it serves as a radical in other characters, often contributing meanings related to cutting or weight.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这条鱼重三斤。
我买了五斤苹果。
西瓜一斤多少钱？
苹果每斤五块钱。
昨天晚上我买了三斤排骨。
做这道汤需要一斤冬瓜。
如果便宜点，我就买十斤。
请帮我把这些土豆称一下，看看有几斤。