公斤
gōngjīn
In Chinese, the abbreviation for kilogram (kg) is 公斤 (gōngjīn).
公斤 is used to refer specifically to the metric unit of mass, the kilogram. While this is the standard term for kilograms, be aware that in many daily Chinese contexts, such as at a market, people may default to using the traditional unit of weight unless you specifically specify kilograms.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 公斤 (gōngjīn) literally means 'public weight'.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between 公斤 (gōngjīn), which refers to the metric kilogram and the single character 斤 (jīn), which refers to a traditional Chinese unit of weight that is approximately 500 grams.
How do you pronounce it?
gōngjīn
Did you know?
- In old Chinese texts, the 斤 was originally a pictograph representing an axe, which was later repurposed as a unit of weight.
- The character 公 in 公斤 functions like the English prefix 'kilo-'. It is used to mark various international metric units, such as 公里 for kilometer and 公升 for liter.
- The 'jīn' used in modern China is standardized at exactly 500 grams, but the 'jīn' used in Taiwan is actually 600 grams.
Examples in context
- 他比我重十公斤。He outweighs me by 10 kg.This sentence is useful for showing how to express a difference in weight using 公斤.Tatoeba #563627 by nickyeow, translation #298031 by AlanF_US
- 这个包裹重五公斤。This package weighs five kilograms.
- 我买了一公斤苹果。I bought one kilogram of apples.
- 两点五公斤2.5 kg
- 这些苹果一公斤多少钱？Zhèxiē píngguǒ yī gōngjīn duōshǎo qián?How much is a kilogram of these apples?
- 我需要买五公斤大米。Wǒ xūyào mǎi wǔ gōngjīn dàmǐ.I need to buy five kilograms of rice.
Example conversation
At a grocery store, Wei is helping Jiayi shop.
- 伟 Wei你要买多少公斤西瓜？Nǐ yào mǎi duōshǎo gōngjīn xīguā?How many kilograms of watermelon do you want to buy?
- 佳怡 Jiayi买两公斤吧。Mǎi liǎng gōngjīn ba.Let's buy two kilograms.
- 伟 Wei好的，我来拿。Hǎo de, wǒ lái ná.Okay, I'll get them.
- 佳怡 Jiayi谢谢你，伟。Xièxiè nǐ, Wěi.Thank you, Wei.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
