Welcome! If you’re looking to learn how to say “pounds” in Chinese, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re interested in the formal or informal ways of expressing this term, we’ve got you covered. Before we dive in, it’s important to note that Chinese uses the metric system, so the commonly used unit of weight is the kilogram. However, given the wide usage of English as a global language and the influence of international trade, “pounds” is still occasionally used in informal contexts. Let’s explore the various ways the term is expressed in Chinese.
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Formal Ways to Say “Pounds” in Chinese
When it comes to formal situations, it’s best to use the metric system in Chinese. Instead of directly translating “pounds,” Chinese uses the unit of “kilogram,” which is “公斤” (gōngjīn) in Mandarin. The character “公” (gōng) stands for “public” or “official,” and “斤” (jīn) corresponds to an ancient Chinese measurement unit equal to approximately half a kilogram. In modern usage, “斤” represents a full kilogram. Therefore, to express “pounds” formally, one would simply use “公斤” (gōngjīn). For instance, if you have a 10-pound weight, you’d say “10公斤” (shí gōngjīn).
Informal Ways to Say “Pounds” in Chinese
In informal contexts, such as chatting with friends or discussing personal weight, it’s common for Chinese speakers to adopt the English word “pounds” directly. While the pronunciation remains the same as in English, it’s written in Chinese as “磅” (bàng). So, if you want to say “10 pounds” in a casual conversation, you’d simply say “10磅” (shí bàng).
Regional Variations
Chinese is a diverse language with several regional variations. While most regions use the terms mentioned above, there are a few regional variations that are noteworthy:
1. Cantonese:
In Cantonese, which is spoken in Southern China and Hong Kong, the term for “pounds” is “磅” (pong). So, if you’re speaking Cantonese and want to say “10 pounds,” you would use “10磅” (sap6 pong4).
2. Taiwanese Hokkien:
In Taiwanese Hokkien, which is spoken in Taiwan and parts of Southeast Asia, the term for “pounds” is “鎊” (ba̍k). So, if you are speaking Taiwanese Hokkien and want to say “10 pounds,” you would say “10鎊” (sip bāk).
Tips and Examples
To help you better understand how to use these terms, here are a few tips and examples:
1. Conversational Example:
Friend A: 你买了多重的苹果？(nǐ mǎi le duō zhòng de píngguǒ?) – How much do your apples weigh?
Friend B: 大约五磅。(dà yuē wǔ bàng.) – About 5 pounds.
2. Shopping Example:
Seller: 这袋糖有多重？(zhè dài táng yǒu duō zhòng?) – How heavy is this bag of sugar?
Customer: 大约二十公斤。(dà yuē èr shí gōngjīn.) – Approximately 20 kilograms.
3. Personal Weight Example:
Friend A: 你减了多少磅？(nǐ jiǎn le duō shǎo bàng?) – How many pounds have you lost?
Friend B: 我减了十磅！(wǒ jiǎn le shí bàng!) – I’ve lost 10 pounds!
Remember, when in doubt, it’s always safer to use the metric system. However, in informal and specific contexts, you can confidently use the terms “磅” (bàng) or even “pounds” itself. Now you can express weights in Chinese with ease!
Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be able to navigate conversations about weight effortlessly. Whether you’re discussing kilograms or pounds, these language skills will come in handy in a variety of situations. Enjoy your language learning journey and stay motivated!
