磅 (bàng) — (noun) scale (instrument for weighing); (classifier) pound (unit of weight, ≈454 g)
Definition
磅 is both a noun for a weighing scale and a classifier for the pound (∼454 g). For Chinese traditional scales, use 秤 (steelyard) or 天平 (balance); 磅 refers to a modern scale or the imperial weight unit.
noun
scale (instrument for weighing)
classifier
pound (unit of weight, ≈454 g)
Easily confused
Examples
- 磅，。Zhè shì chāo shì yòng de bàng, hěn zhǔn.This is a scale used in supermarkets; it's very accurate.
- 磅。Wǒ mǎi le sān bàng chéng zi.I bought three pounds of oranges.
- 磅，。Nǐ zhàn dào bàng shàng, wǒ bāng nǐ chēng yí xià.Stand on the scale and I'll help you weigh yourself.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
磅 is built from 石, meaning rock or stone, and 旁, which gives the sound.
Appears in
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