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磅 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
磅
bàng
platform balance
HSK 7, m, 15 strokes, radical 石, rank #1969, Very Hard
磅
bàng
(loanword) pound (unit of weight, about 454 grams)
HSK 7, m, 15 strokes, radical 石, rank #1969, Very Hard
磅
bàng
pound; to weigh
HSK 7, m, 15 strokes, radical 石, rank #1969, Very Hard
bàng(bang4)bang T4
1platform balance
2(loanword) pound (unit of weight, about 454 grams)
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March 24, 2026
磅bàng(bang4)
The character 磅 (bàng) primarily refers to the unit of weight known as a pound, which is approximately 454 grams. It can also denote the act of weighing something or a platform balance used for weighing. This term is often encountered in contexts related to measuring weight in both everyday life and trade.
Strokes15Radical石Frequency#1969DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, measuring weight accurately is crucial in markets, especially when buying fruits, vegetables, and meats, where prices are often calculated based on weight. The term 磅 reflects Western influences, particularly in international trade and communication.
Memory tip
Imagine a big, heavy 'bong' (bàng) that weighs a pound. The character has a radical for 'stone' (石), which connects to weight, as stones are heavy. Visualize a scale tipping as you weigh a pound of stones to remember that 磅 relates to weight.
Meanings of 磅
bàng(bang4)
1platform balance
2(loanword) pound (unit of weight, about 454 grams)
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 磅 means.
About 磅
磅Simplified
15Strokes
石Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#1969Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 磅
Podcast: 磅
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AI study notes for 磅
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 磅 with other weight measures like 公斤 (gōngjīn, kilogram) and 斤 (jīn, catty). It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts but is particularly prevalent in settings involving commerce or cooking. Pay attention to the pronunciation, as the third tone (bàng) can easily be mispronounced.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 磅 is relevant for learners expanding their vocabulary related to measurements and trade. Students should focus on how this word interacts with other measurement terms and practice its usage in sentences about weight-related topics.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 磅 with the character for '斤' (jīn) and incorrectly use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我有三斤的苹果' (wǒ yǒu sān jīn de píngguǒ) when they mean pounds can lead to confusion; the correct phrase should specify the unit being used.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 磅
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 磅 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
磅 = 石 + 旁. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 磅
IDS Structure⿰石旁
磅Full character
=
石dan4
left
旁pang2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 磅?
How to say platform balance in Chinese
“platform balance” in Chinese is磅bàng
The character 磅 (bàng) primarily refers to the unit of weight known as a pound, which is approximately 454 grams. It can also denote the act of weighing something or a platform balance used for weighing. This term is often encountered in contexts related to measuring weight in both everyday life and trade.
When to use 磅
Learners often confuse 磅 with other weight measures like 公斤 (gōngjīn, kilogram) and 斤 (jīn, catty). It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts but is particularly prevalent in settings involving commerce or cooking. Pay attention to the pronunciation, as the third tone (bàng) can easily be mispronounced.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes confuse 磅 with the character for '斤' (jīn) and incorrectly use them interchangeably. For example, saying '我有三斤的苹果' (wǒ yǒu sān jīn de píngguǒ) when they mean pounds can lead to confusion; the correct phrase should specify the unit being used.
Write 磅
磅
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Practice writing 磅 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 磅
磅 functions as a number. It almost always combines with a measure word before a noun (三个人, 五本书). Standalone numbers are rare outside of math or counting. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我的鱼平均每条重2____8盎司，还有过两条重8磅的。
My fish average 2 lb 8 oz and I've had two eight-pounders.
Most of our flights have a baggage allowance of 44lbs per passenger.
10
它重近27千克（约65磅）。
tā zhòng jìn27 qiānkè（ yāo65 bàng）。
It weighs nearly 27 kilos (about 65 pounds).
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Word Family of 磅
Words containing this character5
磅bàngsee 磅秤 scale
磅礴pángbómajestic磅礡
过磅guòbàngto weigh (on a scale)過磅
磅秤bàngchèngscale
重磅zhòngbàngheavyweight
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 磅
What does 磅礴 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 磅
斤 (jīn) is a traditional Chinese unit of weight equivalent to about 500 grams, while 磅 (bàng) refers specifically to the pound, which is about 454 grams.
You can say, '这块肉重两磅' (zhè kuài ròu zhòng liǎng bàng) meaning 'This piece of meat weighs two pounds.'
Yes, 磅 is commonly used in contexts involving international trade or when discussing weight in a more global context.
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