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【Learn Chinese】Chinese Measure Words: Units of Measure

Mandarin Morning

拼音

English

Here are some Chinese measure words for units of measure. The weight units of measure are especially helpful to learn for shopping for fresh ingredients such as fruit and vegetables.

Weight:
斤 jīn – 0.5 kg
公斤 gōng jīn – Kilo
吨 dūn – Ton
磅 bàng – Pound (lb)

Length:
厘米 lí mǐ - centimeter
米 mǐ – meter
公里 gōng lǐ – kilometer
寸 cùn – One inch (different length to western inch – 3.3333cm)
尺 chǐ – One foot (different length to western foot – 1/3 m)
里 lǐ – 0.5 km
As you can see a Chinese inch and a Chinese foot, is not the same length as those used in the west – so be careful and don’t get confused!

Money:
块 kuài – Colloquial measure word for 1 元 yuán
毛 máo – Colloquial measure word for 1 角 jiǎo (1/10 yuan)
笔 bǐ – An unspecified sum of money

Volume and Degree:
升 shēng – 1 litre
斗 dòu – 10 litres
度 dù – Degree, level (e.g. temperature, degree of angle etc.)