磅

• Pinyin: bàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 磅 = 石 + 旁 (stone + side; phonetic borrowing for pound)

Meaning

Pound (unit of weight); scale. As a measure word, approximately 0.45 kilograms.

Used for the imperial weight unit borrowed from English, common in trade and international contexts. Also refers to weighing scales, especially large platform scales for heavy goods.

Examples

1. 这箱货物重五十磅。 This crate of goods weighs fifty pounds.
2. 司机把卡车开上磅称重。 The driver drove the truck onto the scale to weigh it.
3. 按照英制标准一磅等于十六盎司。 By the imperial system, one pound equals sixteen ounces.

Usage Guide

Context: trade, measurement, logistics

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个包裹重三磅半。(This package weighs three and a half pounds.)
• 货车在进厂前必须先过磅。(Trucks must be weighed before entering the factory.)

Don't Say

• 一磅人 — 磅 is only for weight measurement, not counting people

Origin & History

Phonetic loan from English 'pound'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal